• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic G3 advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon D5000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon D5000

Panasonic G3
Nikon D5000
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A290
Canon T1i
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Canon T1i

Panasonic G3
Canon T1i
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Panasonic G3
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Sony DSLR-A290
Olympus E-M5
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Sony DSLR-A290
Panasonic GX7
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GX7

Compare Other Cameras?