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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH5
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic GH4, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and GH4 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and GH4 (Four Thirds) use different sensor measurements.

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The FS42 was revealed 5 years before the GH4 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FS42 scores vs the GH4 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic GH4

 FS42 GH4 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic FS42

 GH4 FS42 
ReleasedFebruary 2014April 2009Fresher by 58 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1036k230kClearer screen (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GH4

 FS42 GH4 

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 provides outer dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic GH4 has dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic GH4 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the FS42 and the GH4.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and GH4 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and GH4.

Plainly, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FS42 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic GH4 will provide greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older FS42 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography details
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW format
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography info
Panasonic GH4 Street photography info
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW format
maximum ISO low (1,000)
71
screen articulates
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch to focus
environment proof
lighter than competition (560 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography factors
Panasonic GH4 Sports photography factors
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
77
lighter than competition (560g)
environment proof
offers touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography information
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Panasonic GH4
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone support
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
includes face detect focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone jack
lighter than competition (560 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GH4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GH4
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
Type Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-04-17 2014-02-07
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IX
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1000 25600
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 49
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 6.3 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,036k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.67x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 17.00 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 4096x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 pounds) 560 grams (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 791
Other
Battery life - 500 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $580 $1,500