Clicky

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus TG-630 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus TG-630 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 66 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Raise to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic FS42, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-630 iHS (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is very comparable but the TG-630 iHS (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") offer totally different sensor sizing.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The TG-630 iHS was brought out 3 years after the FS42 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-630 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the TG-630 iHS matches up against the FS42 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-630 iHS over the Panasonic FS42

 TG-630 iHS FS42 
IntroducedJanuary 2013April 2009More modern by 46 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus TG-630 iHS

 FS42 TG-630 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic FS42

 TG-630 iHS FS42 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-630 iHS has physical measurements of 98mm x 66mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and 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).

Examine the Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic FS42 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the TG-630 iHS against the FS42.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-630 iHS and FS42 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through specs. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-630 iHS and FS42.

All in all, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TG-630 iHS because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus TG-630 iHS will show more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more recent TG-630 iHS is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Portrait photography details
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
27
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-630 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic FS42
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
max ISO too low (1,000)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Sports photography information
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography information
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
16
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Travel photography information
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography information
59
weather proof
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (220 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
39
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-630 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
33
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus TG-630 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus TG-630 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Type Waterproof Ultracompact
Introduced 2013-01-08 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 1000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 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
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 pounds) 132g (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 66 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 220 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $200 $580