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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • 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
Panasonic FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2011
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic FX90, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the FX90 (12MP) is relatively close but the FS42 (1/2.5") and FX90 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was revealed 3 years prior to the FX90 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FX90 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the FS42 matches up versus the FX90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic FX90

 FS42 FX90 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Panasonic FS42

 FX90 FS42 
LaunchedAugust 2011April 2009Newer by 28 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic FX90

 FS42 FX90 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic FX90 has dimensions of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic FX90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the FS42 vs the FX90.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and FX90 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and FX90.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic FX90 will result in greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged FS42 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Street photography camera
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW support
low max ISO (1,000)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography details
Panasonic FX90 Sports photography details
16
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
Travel photography with Panasonic FX90
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
provides touch focus
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography information
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
36
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Panasonic FX90
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
33
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FX90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic FX90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-04-17 2011-08-26
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 132 gr (0.29 pounds) 149 gr (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 200 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $580 $227