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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Raise to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Panasonic GH2
(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
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH1
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH3
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are offered by Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and GH2 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and GH2 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was announced 23 months before the GH2 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the FS42 scores against the GH2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic GH2

 FS42 GH2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Panasonic FS42

 GH2 FS42 
RevealedMarch 2011April 2009More recent by 23 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GH2

 FS42 GH2 

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 offers 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) and the Panasonic GH2 has specifications of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the FS42 against the GH2.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and GH2 is 95 and 70 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The visual here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FS42 and GH2.

Plainly, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FS42 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic GH2 will show extra detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older FS42 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography information
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
70
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
Panasonic GH2 Street photography features
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
maximum ISO low (1,000)
68
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Panasonic GH2
16
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect auto focus
46
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography advice
Panasonic GH2 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography factors
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (330 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GH2 Vlogging advice
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
71
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
no image stabilization
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GH2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Category Ultracompact Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2009-04-17 2011-03-23
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine 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 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1000 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 6.3 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 15.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Maximum 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 442g (0.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 60
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 655
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $580 $1,000