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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic FS42, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and FS42 (1/2.5") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z5 was launched 11 years later than the FS42 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the Z5 grades vs the FS42 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic FS42

 Z5 FS42 
LaunchedJuly 2020April 2009Fresher by 138 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon Z5

 FS42 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic FS42

 Z5 FS42 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 offers outer measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic FS42 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the Z5 against the FS42.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and FS42 is 62 and 95 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching specifications. The visual below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z5 and FS42.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z5 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will render more detail utilizing its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively. The newer Z5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography factors
85
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
19
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competitors in class (675g)
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography info
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography info
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (470 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.5 frames per second)
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography details
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
68
better than average battery pack (470 CIPA)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competitors in class (675 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography features
86
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery pack (470 per charge)
has double storage slots
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging features
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging features
34
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone port
does not have selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (675g)
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic FS42
 Nikon Z5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Type Advanced Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2020-07-20 2009-04-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 51200 1000
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 273 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675g (1.49 pounds) 132g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 98 x 55 x 22mm (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 470 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Price at launch $1,399 $580