Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FS42
84 Imaging
59 Features
79 Overall
67


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

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.

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.

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 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic FS42
PEN-F | FS42 |
---|
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.
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.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PEN-F and FS42 is 84 and 95 respectively.

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

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 |