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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Increase to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G3
  • Replacement is Panasonic G6
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic G5, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Panasonic. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and G5 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and G5 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was brought out 4 years earlier than the G5 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FS42 grades versus the G5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic G5

 FS42 G5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Panasonic FS42

 G5 FS42 
LaunchedJuly 2012April 2009Fresher by 39 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic G5

 FS42 G5 

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 comes with external 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 G5 has measurements of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic G5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS42 against the G5.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and G5 is 95 and 74 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FS42 and G5.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FS42 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic G5 will show more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older FS42 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Panasonic G5
19
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic G5 as a Street photography camera
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
low max ISO (1,000)
66
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others (396g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography information
Panasonic G5 Sports photography information
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
51
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
Panasonic G5 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
66
provides focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (396g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic G5 Landscape photography factors
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging information
Panasonic G5 Vlogging information
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic port
62
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
heavier than others (396g)
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic G5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic G5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-04-17 2012-07-17
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
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 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1000 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 6.3 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 10.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lbs) 396 gr (0.87 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 618
Other
Battery life - 320 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $580 $699