Clicky

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Launched December 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
  • Launched April 2009
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is fairly close but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and FS42 (1/2.5") provide totally different sensor sizing.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The XZ-2 iHS was revealed 3 years later than the FS42 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the XZ-2 iHS scores vs the FS42 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Panasonic FS42

 XZ-2 iHS FS42 
LaunchedDecember 2012April 2009More recent by 45 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 FS42 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FS42

 XZ-2 iHS FS42 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS enjoys outer dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") along with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS compared to the FS42.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-2 iHS and FS42 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and FS42.

Plainly, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS using its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS will provide you with more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher XZ-2 iHS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography info
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography info
46
you can focus manually
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography details
Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
66
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (346 grams)
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
maximum ISO low (1,000)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography factors
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
good battery life (340 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
16
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
61
good battery life (340 CIPA)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (346g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging advice
36
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (346 grams)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FS42
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus XZ-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2012-12-18 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 1000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 6.3
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 346 gr (0.76 pounds) 132 gr (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $450 $580