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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-410
Panasonic FH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 163g - 98 x 55 x 23mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS10
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the FH1 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and FH1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-420 was announced 18 months prior to the FH1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-420 grades versus the FH1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic FH1

 E-420 FH1 
Focus manually More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH1 over the Olympus E-420

 FH1 E-420 
ReleasedJanuary 2010June 2008Fresher by 18 months

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH1

 E-420 FH1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-420 enjoys outer measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic FH1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-420 versus the FH1.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and FH1 is 77 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and FH1.

Clearly, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-420 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic FH1 will result in more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older E-420 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FH1 as a Portrait photography camera
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography information
Panasonic FH1 Street photography information
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (426g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-420
Sports photography with Panasonic FH1
38
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (500 per charge)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography features
Panasonic FH1 Travel photography features
52
lighter than competitors (426g)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (500 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
58
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH1 Landscape photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery power (500 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FH1 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
29
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH1
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FS10
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2008-06-23 2010-01-06
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426g (0.94 lbs) 163g (0.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 98 x 55 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $999 $150