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Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
54
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-6 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus TG-6
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 253g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Launched May 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-5
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Push to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
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Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus TG-6 versus Panasonic FS42, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-6 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is relatively similar but the TG-6 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") offer totally different sensor size.

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The TG-6 was announced 10 years after the FS42 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-6 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the TG-6 grades versus the FS42 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-6 over the Panasonic FS42

 TG-6 FS42 
ReleasedMay 2019April 2009More modern by 123 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus TG-6

 FS42 TG-6 

Common features in the Olympus TG-6 and Panasonic FS42

 TG-6 FS42 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-6 enjoys exterior measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 253 grams (0.56 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).

Contrast the Olympus TG-6 versus Panasonic FS42 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the TG-6 versus the FS42.

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-6 and FS42 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The pic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-6 and FS42.

All in all, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TG-6 having a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus TG-6 will offer you extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern TG-6 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography information
40
focusing manually
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Street photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Street photography factors
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (253 grams)
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
maximum ISO low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Sports photography info
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography info
47
max frames per second high (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
16
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-6 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
weather proofing
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competitors (253 grams)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
57
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery pack (340 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging highlights
34
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competitors (253 grams)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus TG-6 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-6 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus Tough TG-6Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-6 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Waterproof Ultracompact
Launched 2019-05-22 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 1000
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 20.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill- in, Manual, Flash Off 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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PC 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 253 grams (0.56 lb) 132 grams (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 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 340 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I support) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $449 $580