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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX7
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic LX5, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Panasonic. The resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is very well matched but the FS42 (1/2.5") and LX5 (1/1.63") posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the LX5 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the FS42 matches up vs the LX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic LX5

 FS42 LX5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Panasonic FS42

 LX5 FS42 
RevealedDecember 2011April 2009More modern by 32 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic LX5

 FS42 LX5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 offers physical 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 LX5 has dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic LX5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the FS42 vs the LX5.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and LX5 is 95 and 88 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through technical specs. The picture here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and LX5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The FS42 includes the tinier sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult. The more aged FS42 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography details
19
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
41
has manual focus
delivers RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography info
Panasonic LX5 Street photography info
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
low maximum ISO (1,000)
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (271g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography advice
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography advice
16
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
Panasonic LX5 Travel photography details
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (271 grams)
low MP (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography advice
22
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
52
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Panasonic LX5
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic jack
29
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competition (271g)
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic LX5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-04-17 2011-12-15
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1000 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-90mm (3.8x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.0-3.3
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 4.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 7.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lb) 271 gr (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 41
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.8
DXO Low light score not tested 132
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $580 $294