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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Raise to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS45
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Panasonic. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and ZS40 (18MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and ZS40 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The FS42 was introduced 5 years earlier than the ZS40 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the FS42 grades versus the ZS40 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic ZS40

 FS42 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic FS42

 ZS40 FS42 
RevealedJanuary 2014April 2009More modern by 57 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS40

 FS42 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS42 has got physical measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the FS42 against the ZS40.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and ZS40 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The picture below will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FS42 and ZS40.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FS42 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZS40 will give you greater detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged FS42 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW support
52
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography information
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW support
low maximum ISO (1,000)
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (240g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
16
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no phase detect auto focus
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors in class (240g)
megapixel count good (18MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography details
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
56
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging details
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (240 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-04-17 2014-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 18 megapixel
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 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1000 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132 grams (0.29 lbs) 240 grams (0.53 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery life - 300 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $580 $450