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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus VR-340
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.0-5.7) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand 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 VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus VR-340 versus Panasonic FS42, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the VR-340 (16MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the VR-340 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The VR-340 was announced 2 years later than the FS42 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the VR-340 scores vs the FS42 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Panasonic FS42

 VR-340 FS42 
ReleasedJanuary 2012April 2009More recent by 34 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus VR-340

 FS42 VR-340 

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic FS42

 VR-340 FS42 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-340 has outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VR-340 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 change based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the VR-340 and the FS42.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the VR-340 and FS42 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The photograph here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-340 and FS42.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The VR-340 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus VR-340 will produce greater detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The newer VR-340 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Travel photography details
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
69
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
43
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic port
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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus VR-340Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VR-340 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2012-01-10 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 1000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance - 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 operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.80 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 125 gr (0.28 lbs) 132 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $130 $580