Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42
84 Imaging
59 Features
79 Overall
67
![Olympus PEN-F front Olympus PEN-F front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-F/Olympus-PEN-F-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 PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 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
- 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
- Introduced January 2016
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Push to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Launched April 2009
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
Let's look much closer at the Olympus PEN-F versus Panasonic FS42, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the PEN-F (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The PEN-F was unveiled 6 years after the FS42 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the PEN-F matches up against the FS42 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The full galleries are provided at Olympus PEN-F Gallery and Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Panasonic FS42
PEN-F | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2016 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 83 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+807k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus PEN-F
FS42 | PEN-F |
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Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic FS42
PEN-F | FS42 |
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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus PEN-F offers external dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Look at the Olympus PEN-F versus Panasonic FS42 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the PEN-F compared to the FS42.
![Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-F-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PEN-F and FS42 is 84 and 95 respectively.
![Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-F-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through a spec sheet. The image below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the PEN-F and FS42.
Clearly, the two cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The PEN-F having a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus PEN-F will result in greater detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The younger PEN-F will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.
![Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-F-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-F-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS42-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Olympus PEN-F | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN-F | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Type | Advanced Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2016-01-27 | 2009-04-17 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.5" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 1000 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 80 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.5 inches |
Display resolution | 1,037k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.62x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/2000s |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.30 m |
Flash settings | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 427 grams (0.94 lb) | 132 grams (0.29 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 74 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.1 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 894 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 pictures | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $1,000 | $580 |