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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
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
  • Launched April 2009
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-5 was introduced 22 months after the FS42 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-5 grades vs the FS42 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic FS42

 E-5 FS42 
LaunchedFebruary 2011April 2009Newer by 22 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus E-5

 FS42 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FS42

 E-5 FS42 
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 offers outside measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-5 and the FS42.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and FS42 is 58 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specifications. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-5 and FS42.

Plainly, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-5 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-5 will produce extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-5
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
low maximum ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography highlights
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography information
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography information
56
environment sealing
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography details
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging details
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging details
64
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
has external mic socket
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2011-02-03 2009-04-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 132 grams (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Launch cost $1,700 $580