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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
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
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was unveiled 2 years after the W290 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the ZS8 matches up vs the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony W290

 ZS8 W290 
IntroducedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic ZS8

 W290 ZS8 
Manually focus More exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W290

 ZS8 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS8 comes with exterior measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS8 against the W290.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The picture underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and W290.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic ZS8 to result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer ZS8 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography details
Sony W290 Street photography details
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
Sony W290 Sports photography info
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography info
Sony W290 Travel photography info
69
lighter than average in class (210g)
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
41
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging info
Sony W290 Vlogging info
30
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
28
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210 gr (0.46 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery life 340 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $275 $230