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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

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
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic FZ40, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and FZ40 (14MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and FZ40 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The FS42 was introduced 15 months prior to the FZ40 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the FS42 scores vs the FZ40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic FZ40

 FS42 FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic FS42

 FZ40 FS42 
IntroducedJuly 2010April 2009Fresher by 15 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic FZ40

 FS42 FZ40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS42 has outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic FZ40 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 select during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the FS42 versus the FZ40.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and FZ40 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and FZ40.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS42 having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic FZ40 will result in more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older FS42 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
46
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography advice
16
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (494g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography factors
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
23
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic FZ40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-04-17 2010-07-21
Body design Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 9.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 132g (0.29 lbs) 494g (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $580 $420