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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Increase to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and LS5 (14MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and LS5 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The FS42 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the LS5 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic LS5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the FS42 scores versus the LS5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic LS5

 FS42 LS5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Panasonic FS42

 LS5 FS42 
AnnouncedJuly 2011April 2009Newer by 27 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic LS5

 FS42 LS5 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LS5 has proportions of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the FS42 against the LS5.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and LS5 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and LS5.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Panasonic LS5 will produce greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged FS42 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography highlights
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
Panasonic LS5 Street photography features
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
maximum ISO low (1,000)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Panasonic LS5
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect auto focus
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (160 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (160 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography features
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography features
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
36
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery power (160 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging details
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging details
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max 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 socket
32
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic LS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-04-17 2011-07-21
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 132g (0.29 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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
Battery life - 160 images
Form of battery - AA
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $580 $294