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Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Revealed November 2017
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
  • Announced April 2009
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Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Panasonic G9 versus Panasonic FS42, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the G9 (20MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the G9 (Four Thirds) and FS42 (1/2.5") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The G9 was released 8 years later than the FS42 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the G9 grades against the FS42 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Panasonic FS42

 G9 FS42 
AnnouncedNovember 2017April 2009More recent by 105 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic G9

 FS42 G9 

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Panasonic FS42

 G9 FS42 

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G9 has exterior measurements of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") having a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic G9 versus Panasonic FS42 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the G9 versus the FS42.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G9 and FS42 is 62 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the G9 and FS42.

As you can see, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The G9 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic G9 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent G9 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
76
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G9
Street photography with Panasonic FS42
75
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Sports photography camera
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
bad battery (400 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G9 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography highlights
70
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (400 CIPA)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G9 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography info
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery (400 per charge)
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G9 Vlogging details
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging details
76
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone jack
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Panasonic FS42
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2017-11-08 2009-04-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 25600 1000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 225 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 6.3
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 658g (1.45 lb) 132g (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 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 life 400 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 2 1
Pricing at release $1,500 $580