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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus SP-800 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus SP-800 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Push to 1000)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Released February 2010
  • New Model is Olympus SP-810 UZ
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Panasonic FS42, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the SP-800 UZ (14MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the SP-800 UZ (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SP-800 UZ was introduced 10 months later than the FS42 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-800 UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SP-800 UZ grades against the FS42 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Panasonic FS42

 SP-800 UZ FS42 
RevealedFebruary 2010April 2009Fresher by 10 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus SP-800 UZ

 FS42 SP-800 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Panasonic FS42

 SP-800 UZ FS42 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-800 UZ has exterior measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") along with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Panasonic FS42 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SP-800 UZ versus the FS42.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-800 UZ and FS42 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The photograph below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-800 UZ and FS42.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SP-800 UZ with its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Olympus SP-800 UZ will provide you with more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer SP-800 UZ will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Portrait photography features
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography features
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Street photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Street photography factors
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Sports photography features
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography features
47
excellent zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
16
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Travel photography details
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
61
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (840mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-800 UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS42
41
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
22
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
24
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-800 UZ and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus SP-800 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SP-800 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2010-02-02 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1000
Max enhanced ISO 1000 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 143 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-840mm (30.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 12 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.10 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 455 grams (1.00 lbs) 132 grams (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $270 $580