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Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Olympus VR-330 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus VR-330
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-300mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 101 x 58 x 29mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus VR-320
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost 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 VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic FS42, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the VR-330 (14MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the VR-330 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The VR-330 was revealed 23 months later than the FS42 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VR-330 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a quick summation of how the VR-330 matches up versus the FS42 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-330 over the Panasonic FS42

 VR-330 FS42 
LaunchedFebruary 2011April 2009More recent by 23 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus VR-330

 FS42 VR-330 

Common features in the Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic FS42

 VR-330 FS42 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VR-330 has got outer measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while 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).

Take a look at the Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic FS42 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the VR-330 vs the FS42.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the VR-330 and FS42 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The visual below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the VR-330 and FS42.

Plainly, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The VR-330 having a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus VR-330 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger VR-330 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-330
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VR-330
Street photography with Panasonic FS42
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
max ISO too low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Sports photography information
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography information
47
great zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Travel photography information
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography information
70
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
42
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging advice
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic port
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Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus VR-330Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VR-330 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-02-08 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus 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 dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.70 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in 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, 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lb) 132 gr (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $220 $580