Clicky

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 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 GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Revealed September 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GM1
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GM5, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and GM5 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and GM5 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The FS42 was launched 6 years earlier than the GM5 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the FS42 matches up vs the GM5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic GM5

 FS42 GM5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Panasonic FS42

 GM5 FS42 
RevealedSeptember 2014April 2009Fresher by 65 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GM5

 FS42 GM5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS42 has outer dimensions 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 GM5 has proportions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GM5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the FS42 compared to the GM5.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and GM5 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and GM5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS42 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic GM5 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older FS42 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Panasonic GM5
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
71
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Street photography camera
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
max ISO too low (1,000)
76
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
lighter than average in class (211g)
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GM5 Sports photography highlights
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no phase detect autofocus
48
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500 seconds)
low frames per second (5.8 frames/s)
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
Travel photography with Panasonic GM5
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average in class (211 grams)
offers focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography information
Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography information
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
69
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GM5 Vlogging highlights
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone port
34
touchscreen enabled
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (211 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic GM5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic GM5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-04-17 2014-09-15
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
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 Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 1000 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
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 -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 6.3 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/500 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 5.8 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 lb) 211g (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 721
Other
Battery life - 220 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - DMW-BLH7
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
Storage slots One One
Price at release $580 $966