Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


70 Imaging
51 Features
65 Overall
56
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
- Released April 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
- Revealed March 2011
- Old Model is Panasonic GH1
- Later Model is Panasonic GH3

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic GH2, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and GH2 (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and GH2 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor size.

The FS12 was introduced 23 months prior to the GH2 making them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the FS12 matches up versus the GH2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Panasonic GH2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic GH2
FS12 | GH2 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Panasonic FS12
GH2 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2011 | ![]() | April 2009 | More modern by 23 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic GH2
FS12 | GH2 |
---|
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 has got physical dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH2 has specifications of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic GH2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the FS12 compared to the GH2.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and GH2 is 95 and 70 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The pic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and GH2.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS12 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic GH2 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 |
Type | Ultracompact | Advanced Mirrorless |
Released | 2009-04-17 | 2011-03-23 |
Body design | Ultracompact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens zoom range | 31-124mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 107 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 15.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 129g (0.28 lbs) | 442g (0.97 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 60 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 655 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $228 | $1,000 |