Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42
95 Imaging
36 Features
25 Overall
31


95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
- 143g - 99 x 53 x 20mm
- Introduced January 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Introduced April 2009

Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
Here is a thorough review of the Casio EX-Z550 and Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact digital cameras by companies Casio and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the EX-Z550 (14MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the EX-Z550 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor measurements.

The EX-Z550 was launched 9 months later than the FS42 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the EX-Z550 grades versus the FS42 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Casio Exilim EX-Z550 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The complete galleries are available at Casio EX-Z550 Gallery & Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z550 over the Panasonic FS42
EX-Z550 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2010 | ![]() | April 2009 | Fresher by 9 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Casio EX-Z550
FS42 | EX-Z550 |
---|
Common features in the Casio EX-Z550 and Panasonic FS42
EX-Z550 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Casio EX-Z550 has physical dimensions of 99mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.8") having a weight of 143 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Check out the Casio EX-Z550 and Panasonic FS42 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the EX-Z550 compared to the FS42.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the EX-Z550 and FS42 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the EX-Z550 and FS42.
As you can see, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The EX-Z550 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Casio EX-Z550 will offer more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more modern EX-Z550 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-Z550 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Casio Exilim EX-Z550 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Casio | Panasonic |
Model | Casio Exilim EX-Z550 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2010-01-06 | 2009-04-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 1000 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-104mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.6-5.9 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 2.5 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 6.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, flash off, flash on, red eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 × 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 143 grams (0.32 lb) | 132 grams (0.29 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 53 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.8") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (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 (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $149 | $580 |