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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Introduced April 2009
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZR3, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and ZR3 (14MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and ZR3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was brought out 9 months prior to the ZR3 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the FS42 scores vs the ZR3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic ZR3

 FS42 ZR3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic FS42

 ZR3 FS42 
ReleasedJanuary 2010April 2009Newer by 9 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZR3

 FS42 ZR3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 offers outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZR3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FS42 versus the ZR3.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and ZR3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at specifications. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and ZR3.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic ZR3 will resolve extra detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FS42 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography highlights
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography highlights
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
low maximum ISO (1,000)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography details
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography factors
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
37
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging information
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
29
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-04-17 2010-01-26
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1000 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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
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
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $580 $280