Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42
86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45
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95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Released July 2009
- Newer Model is Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Introduced April 2009
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FS42, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") feature different sensor sizing.
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The E-P1 was revealed 4 months after the FS42 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-P1 scores versus the FS42 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-P1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-P1 Gallery and Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic FS42
E-P1 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus E-P1
FS42 | E-P1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FS42
E-P1 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2009 | ![]() | April 2009 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 features external dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst 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).
Check out the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FS42 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-P1 vs the FS42.
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Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and FS42 is 86 and 95 respectively.
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing technical specs. The pic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and FS42.
As you have seen, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-P1 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-P1 will show extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images much more aggressively.
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Released | 2009-07-29 | 2009-04-17 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 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 | 4032 x 3024 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1000 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.5 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 355 grams (0.78 lb) | 132 grams (0.29 lb) |
Dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 536 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photographs | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $182 | $580 |