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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Raise 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 E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 II was unveiled 7 years after the FS42 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-M1 II matches up versus the FS42 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic FS42

 E-M1 II FS42 
ReleasedSeptember 2016April 2009Newer by 91 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 FS42 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic FS42

 E-M1 II FS42 

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II enjoys physical measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while 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).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 II and the FS42.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and FS42 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and FS42.

Clearly, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 II using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M1 II will show extra detail having an extra 10MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The younger E-M1 II will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
75
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports touch focus
environment proof
lighter than others in class (574g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography info
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography info
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (350 per charge)
16
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography info
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography info
72
lighter than others in class (574g)
environment proof
supports touch focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography highlights
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
22
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
lighter than others in class (574g)
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2016-09-19 2009-04-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 25600 1000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 6.30 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 640x480
Video format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lbs) 132 grams (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Launch price $1,700 $580