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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched July 2011
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 SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic FS42, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-11 (14MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-11 was unveiled 2 years after the FS42 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SZ-11 grades vs the FS42 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic FS42

 SZ-11 FS42 
RevealedJuly 2011April 2009More modern by 28 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus SZ-11

 FS42 SZ-11 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic FS42

 SZ-11 FS42 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-11 has outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic FS42 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-11 and the FS42.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-11 and FS42 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The picture underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-11 and FS42.

All in all, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ-11 having a larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Olympus SZ-11 will result in greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SZ-11 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography details
Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
maximum ISO low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-11
Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
43
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
16
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-11
Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography factors
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
22
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging advice
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus SZ-11Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2011-07-27 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1000
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 132 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $253 $580