Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42
95 Imaging
34 Features
13 Overall
25


95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-175mm (F3.0-4.8) lens
- 153g - 101 x 60 x 20mm
- Introduced July 2009
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Revealed April 2009

Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
Let's take a closer look at the Kodak M381 versus Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Kodak and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the M381 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is very well matched but the M381 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

The M381 was brought out 4 months after the FS42 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the M381 matches up against the FS42 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Kodak EasyShare M381 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The entire galleries are provided at Kodak M381 Gallery and Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Kodak M381 over the Panasonic FS42
M381 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Kodak M381
FS42 | M381 |
---|
Common features in the Kodak M381 and Panasonic FS42
M381 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2009 | ![]() | April 2009 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Kodak M381 has outer measurements of 101mm x 60mm x 20mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Check the Kodak M381 versus Panasonic FS42 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the M381 vs the FS42.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M381 and FS42 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the M381 and FS42.
Clearly, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The M381 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Kodak M381 will resolve extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively.

Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak M381 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Kodak EasyShare M381 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Kodak | Panasonic |
Model type | Kodak EasyShare M381 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2009-07-29 | 2009-04-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1000 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-175mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-4.8 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 10cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1400 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.20 m | 6.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 153g (0.34 lb) | 132g (0.29 lb) |
Dimensions | 101 x 60 x 20mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | KLIC-7003 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $170 | $580 |