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Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 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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Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact and both are built by Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the FH8 (16MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the FH8 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The FH8 was introduced 2 years later than the FS42 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the FH8 scores against the FS42 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Panasonic FS42

 FH8 FS42 
ReleasedJanuary 2012April 2009More recent by 34 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic FH8

 FS42 FH8 

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Panasonic FS42

 FH8 FS42 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FH8 offers outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the FH8 compared to the FS42.

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FH8 and FS42 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH8 and FS42.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FH8 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic FH8 will result in greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The newer FH8 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography information
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
19
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography information
Panasonic FS42 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (123g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW support
low maximum ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Sports photography information
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography information
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography info
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography info
69
lighter than average (123 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography info
43
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
33
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (123g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone support
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Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Panasonic FS42
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2012-01-09 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 1000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
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
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123 gr (0.27 lbs) 132 gr (0.29 lbs)
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 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 260 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $149 $580