Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42
69 Imaging
36 Features
35 Overall
35


95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SP-800 UZ & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SP-800 UZ Gallery & Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Panasonic FS42
SP-800 UZ | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2010 | ![]() | April 2009 | Fresher by 10 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Olympus SP-800 UZ | Panasonic 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 |