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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus FE-5020 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus FE-5020
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Other Name is X-935
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand 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 FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Olympus FE-5020 versus Panasonic FS42, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the FE-5020 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the FE-5020 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The FE-5020 was released 4 months later than the FS42 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus FE-5020 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the FE-5020 scores vs the FS42 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Panasonic FS42

 FE-5020 FS42 
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus FE-5020

 FS42 FE-5020 

Common features in the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic FS42

 FE-5020 FS42 
LaunchedJuly 2009April 2009Similar age
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-5020 has got physical measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Olympus FE-5020 versus Panasonic FS42 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the FE-5020 versus the FS42.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FE-5020 and FS42 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at specifications. The photograph underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-5020 and FS42.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FE-5020 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus FE-5020 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus FE-5020
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Street photography features
Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
60
weather proof
lighter than others in class (137g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
max ISO too low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Sports photography features
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography features
24
weather proof
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
16
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (137 grams)
weather proof
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
31
really wide (24mm)
weather proof
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
22
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-5020
Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
28
really wide (24mm)
lighter than others in class (137g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone support
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus FE-5020Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-5020 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Also called X-935 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Revealed 2009-07-22 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.10 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
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 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 input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 137 gr (0.30 lb) 132 gr (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery ID LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $160 $580