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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
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
  • Revealed April 2009
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FS42, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM2 was brought out 4 years after the FS42 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-PM2 scores versus the FS42 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic FS42

 E-PM2 FS42 
RevealedMay 2013April 2009More modern by 50 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus E-PM2

 FS42 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FS42

 E-PM2 FS42 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FS42 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PM2 vs the FS42.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and FS42 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and FS42.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 due to its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PM2 will give you greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography info
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography info
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography info
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
has no phase detect AF
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
66
comes with focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography highlights
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse mode
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2013-05-21 2009-04-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 25600 1000
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lb) 132 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $448 $580