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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Olympus FE-4030 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4030
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 93 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Push to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the FE-4030 (14MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the FE-4030 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") feature different sensor sizes.

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The FE-4030 was introduced 9 months after the FS42 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus FE-4030 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FE-4030 grades against the FS42 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4030 over the Panasonic FS42

 FE-4030 FS42 
ReleasedJanuary 2010April 2009Newer by 9 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus FE-4030

 FS42 FE-4030 

Common features in the Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic FS42

 FE-4030 FS42 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-4030 has got exterior measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has proportions 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 FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the FE-4030 vs the FS42.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-4030 and FS42 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specs. The pic below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the FE-4030 and FS42.

All in all, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FE-4030 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus FE-4030 will offer you greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern FE-4030 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
28
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus FE-4030
Street photography with Panasonic FS42
48
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus FE-4030
Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
34
good MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
16
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
65
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
32
fairly wide (26mm)
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging highlights
25
fairly wide (26mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4030 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus FE-4030Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-4030 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Revealed 2010-01-07 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1000
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-105mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.80 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 146 grams (0.32 pounds) 132 grams (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $130 $580