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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-410
Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH20, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and FH20 (14MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and FH20 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-420 was unveiled 18 months earlier than the FH20 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the E-420 scores vs the FH20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic FH20

 E-420 FH20 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Olympus E-420

 FH20 E-420 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010June 2008Newer by 18 months

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH20

 E-420 FH20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-420 features exterior 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) while the Panasonic FH20 has specifications of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-420 compared to the FH20.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and FH20 is 77 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specifications. The pic here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-420 and FH20.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-420 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic FH20 will produce greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FH20 Portrait photography info
56
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-420
Street photography with Panasonic FH20
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (426g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-420
Sports photography with Panasonic FH20
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Travel photography camera
52
lighter than competition in class (426g)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery (500 shots)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
64
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery (500 shots)
missing Timelapse function
37
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic FH20
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FS30
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 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 dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-224mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.80 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lbs) 178 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $999 $179