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Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS8
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS7 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS7 was revealed 2 years later than the W290 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the ZS7 scores versus the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Sony W290

 ZS7 W290 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2009Fresher by 30 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic ZS7

 W290 ZS7 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Sony W290

 ZS7 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS7 has got outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS7 versus the W290.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS7 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS7 and W290.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you need to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The more recent ZS7 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W290 Portrait photography highlights
21
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS7
Street photography with Sony W290
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (218 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS7
Sports photography with Sony W290
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS7
Travel photography with Sony W290
63
lighter than competitors (218 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
38
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
41
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (218g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218 gr (0.48 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $350 $230