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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Revealed April 2009
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and SZ8 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS42 was announced 5 years before the SZ8 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the FS42 scores versus the SZ8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic SZ8

 FS42 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic FS42

 SZ8 FS42 
RevealedJanuary 2014April 2009Newer by 57 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic SZ8

 FS42 SZ8 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS42 has got 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 SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the 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 select during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the FS42 vs the SZ8.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and SZ8 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out technical specs. The image here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and SZ8.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 having a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Panasonic SZ8 will show more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged FS42 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS42
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
maximum ISO low (1,000)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
16
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competition (159g)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (200 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone support
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition (159g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-04-17 2014-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
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 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1000 1600
Highest boosted ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
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) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" 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 - 200 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $580 $275