- 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
- 12.1 megapixels
- 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
- Go in depth with our full Sony DSC-W290 Review.
- 4/3 224.9mm2
- 16.0 megapixels
- Go in depth with our full Panasonic G3 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the G3.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | ||
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Panasonic G2
G2 vs G3 |
|
| Successor: |
Panasonic G5
G3 vs G5 |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | DSC-W290 | G3 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | Ultra Compact | Compact System Camera |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $249.00 | $699.99 |
| Street Price: | ||
| Date Available: | 2009-04-01 | 2011-06-21 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
6.1 oz
(174 g)
includes batteries |
20.6 oz
(583 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
3.8 x
2.3 x
0.9 in. (98 x 57 x 23 mm) |
4.5 x
3.3 x
1.8 in. (115 x 84 x 47 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CCD | Live MOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony Super HAD | Panasonic |
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.1 | 16.0 |
| Sensor Format: | 1/2.3 inch | 4/3 |
| Sensor size: | 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 1.54 microns | 3.77 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | n/a | 2.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3, 3:2 | 4:3 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | |
| Self-Cleaning: | No | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | No | No |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 56 | |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 21.0 | |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 10.6 | |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 667 | |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4000 x 3000
(12.0 MP,
4:3), 4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2), 4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9), 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3), 2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3), 2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) |
4592 x 3448
(15.8 MP,
4:3), 4576 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2), 4576 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9), 3424 x 3424 (11.7 MP, 1:1), 3232 x 2424 (7.8 MP, 4:3), 3232 x 2160 (7.0 MP, 3:2), 3232 x 1824 (5.9 MP, Other), 2416 x 2416 (5.8 MP, 1:1), 2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3), 2272 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1), 1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3), 1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2), 1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG | JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 1.8 | 3.4 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
640x480 (30/16.6)
320x240 (8.3) |
1920x1080 (60i/50i)
1280x720 (60/50/30) 640x480 (30) 320x240 (30) |
| Movie File Format: | MPEG4 | AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG |
| Composite Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | Yes | Yes |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | No | |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | Component | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | n/a | Micro Four Thirds |
| Lens: | Carl Zeiss, 9 elements in 7 groups including 1 ED, 3 aspherical elements | Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lumix G VARIO MEGA O.I.S |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 28 - 140mm | 28 - 84mm |
| Focal Length (actual): | 5 - 25mm | 14 - 42mm |
| Zoom Ratio: | 5.00x | 3.00x |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.3 (wide) / f/5.2 (tele) - f/13 | f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f.5.6 - 22 (tele) |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
10 cm to Infinity 3.9 in to Infinity |
30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity |
| Macro Focus Range: |
10 cm to Infinity 3.9 in to Infinity |
|
| Filter Thread: | n/a | 52.0mm |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | 2x Precision, up to 31x Smart Zoom | 2x or 4x |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | 9-point Contrast Detection | Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint Touch (1- area-focusing in Face detection, AF Tracking, Multi-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint) |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | LCD | EVF / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | EVF; 1,440K dots eq., 1.4x mag., 17.5mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor | |
| Focus Peaking: | No | No |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.70x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.40x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | No | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 230,000 dots | 460,000 dots |
| Touchscreen: | No | Yes |
| Articulating Screen: | No | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | |
| Selfie Screen: | No | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 8.0x | 16.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | ||
| Minimum ISO (native): | ||
| ISO Settings: | Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 | Auto, 160-6400 Intelligent ISO |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1/2/3, Incandescent, Flash, Underwater (4) | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/1600 - 2 sec | 1/4000 - 60 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | No | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot | 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | No | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | No | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | No | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Easy, High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight portrait, Landscape, Softsnap, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Sports, Underwater, Gourmet | Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects,,Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illiminatioms, Baby 1, 2, Pet, Party, Sunset |
| Self Timer: | 10 or 2 seconds | 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, On, Slow Synch, Off | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | n/a | 8.3 m / 27.2 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | Auto ISO: 0.2m - 3.0m (W), 0.5m - 1.9m (T) | Lens dependent |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | |
| External Flash Connection: | n/a | Hot Shoe |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | ||
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS Duo / MS PRO Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | ||
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | No | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW, RAW + JPEG | |
| Movie File Format: | MPEG4 | AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG |
| Included Memory: | 11.0 MB | No memory included |
| Included Memory Type: | Internal | |
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
| NFC: | No | No |
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | No | No |
| Microphone Jack: | No | No |
| Headphone Jack: | No | No |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | No | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional DMW-RSL1 cable remote | |
| Connections (extended): | Multi-jack | Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm remote socket, combined AV/USB connector |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.66 | |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.67 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 9 | |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | ||
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 1.8 | 3.4 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 100 | 7 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | ||
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | ||
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | ||
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.29 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | 0.30 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.091 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.57 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.080 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full Autofocus lag: Multi-area AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.294s Quick AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.297s | |
| Startup Time: | 1.4 seconds | |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.8 seconds | |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 5.5 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 300 shots | 270 shots |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | ||
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary Info LITHIUM | Proprietary |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | ||
| Internal Charging Supported: | ||
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | Sony CD-ROM | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows, Mac OS | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, Smile Shutter, Intelligent Scene Recognition, Dynamic Range Optimizer, In-camera Retouching, HD Slide Show with music. Available in silver, black, blue and bronze. | 16-megapixel Sensor, Improved High ISO IQ, Faster AF, Metal Body, 1920x1080 HD Movies, Articulating Touch-screen LCD, 2.5mm Remote Socket, Mini HDMI Type-C Connector. Available in black, brown, red or white. |
