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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon Z50 versus Panasonic FS42, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and FS42 (1/2.5") come with different sensor size.

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The Z50 was unveiled 10 years after the FS42 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the Z50 scores vs the FS42 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic FS42

 Z50 FS42 
AnnouncedOctober 2019April 2009Newer by 128 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon Z50

 FS42 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic FS42

 Z50 FS42 

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 has got outer dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z50 versus Panasonic FS42 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the Z50 compared to the FS42.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and FS42 is 74 and 95 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The picture here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and FS42.

As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z50 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon Z50 will produce greater detail having an extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern Z50 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography features
80
manual focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
19
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography information
Panasonic FS42 Street photography information
73
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proof
good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
low maximum ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography info
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography info
75
megapixel count decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
77
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (21MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition in class (397g)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
79
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging info
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging info
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
has face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic jack
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397g)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic support
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic FS42
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2019-10-10 2009-04-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 51200 1000
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 209 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 6.3
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lb) 132 gr (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 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
Battery life 320 photographs -
Form of battery Built-in -
Battery model EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $857 $580