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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 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 ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Panasonic. The resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly close but the FS42 (1/2.5") and ZS3 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS42 was launched within a month of the ZS3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FS42 grades vs the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic ZS3

 FS42 ZS3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic FS42

 ZS3 FS42 
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS3

 FS42 ZS3 
RevealedApril 2009May 2009Same generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS42 has got 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 ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FS42 and the ZS3.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and ZS3.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The FS42 offers the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field trickier.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
19
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS42
Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
max ISO too low (1,000)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
16
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
30
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-04-17 2009-05-14
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
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 Overall 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $580 $200