Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42
80 Imaging
54 Features
84 Overall
66
![Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-II/Olympus-E-M5-II-front.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42/Panasonic-FS42-front.jpg)
95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
- Introduced February 2015
- Previous Model is Olympus E-M5
- Successor is Olympus E-M5 III
(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
- Released April 2009
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic FS42, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 II (16MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") offer different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The E-M5 II was revealed 5 years later than the FS42 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-M5 II grades versus the FS42 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-M5 II Gallery and Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Panasonic FS42
E-M5 II | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | April 2009 | Fresher by 71 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+807k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus E-M5 II
FS42 | E-M5 II |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic FS42
E-M5 II | FS42 |
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 II enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic FS42 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 II compared to the FS42.
![Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-II-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and FS42 is 80 and 95 respectively.
![Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-II-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The visual below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 II and FS42.
As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 II with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-M5 II will provide you with more detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 II provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
![Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-II-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-II-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2015-02-06 | 2009-04-17 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VII | - |
Sensor type | MOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 1000 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 2.5" |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/2000s |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 469 grams (1.03 lb) | 132 grams (0.29 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 73 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 896 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $699 | $580 |