Clicky

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Push to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic ZS1, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.5").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The FS42 was brought out at a similar time to the ZS1 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the FS42 grades vs the ZS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic ZS1

 FS42 ZS1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Panasonic FS42

 ZS1 FS42 
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS1

 FS42 ZS1 
ReleasedApril 2009May 2009Same age
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS42 has got exterior measurements 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 ZS1 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic ZS1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the FS42 compared to the ZS1.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and ZS1 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The pic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same MP so you can expect comparable quality of photos however you have to take the age of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
25
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS42
Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
16
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competitors (229g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging features
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-04-17 2009-05-14
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 grams (0.29 pounds) 229 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $580 $0