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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Alternative Name is mju 550WP
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Increase to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic FS42, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is relatively close but the 550WP (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The 550WP was manufactured 3 months earlier than the FS42 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the 550WP matches up versus the FS42 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic FS42

 550WP FS42 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus 550WP

 FS42 550WP 

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic FS42

 550WP FS42 
LaunchedJanuary 2009April 2009Same generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus 550WP has got external measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic FS42 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the 550WP vs the FS42.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 550WP and FS42 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The visual here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 550WP and FS42.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The 550WP uses the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field easier.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography advice
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus 550WP Street photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Street photography factors
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
max ISO too low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus 550WP
Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography advice
55
environment proof
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic support
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Also called mju 550WP -
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Released 2009-01-07 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 7cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lbs) 132 gr (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $399 $580