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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS60
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic ZS50, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is very close but the FS42 (1/2.5") and ZS50 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The FS42 was revealed 6 years prior to the ZS50 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the FS42 matches up versus the ZS50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic ZS50

 FS42 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic FS42

 ZS50 FS42 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2009More modern by 69 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS50

 FS42 ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 comes with 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic ZS50 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the FS42 against the ZS50.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and ZS50 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The image underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and ZS50.

Plainly, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FS42 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZS50 will result in extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FS42 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS50
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
42
manual focus
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography features
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
max ISO too low (1,000)
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors (243 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography highlights
16
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competitors (243 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography highlights
22
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
51
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging information
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (243 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-04-17 2015-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
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 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 lb) 243g (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life - 300 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $580 $350