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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(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
Panasonic FS42
(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
Photography Glossary

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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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic FS42

 E-P1 FS42 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3"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 
IntroducedJuly 2009April 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and FS42 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

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.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P1
Street photography with Panasonic FS42
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography advice
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
16
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
43
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging features
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging features
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus PEN E-P1Panasonic 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