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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS8
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic ZS7, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is pretty close but the FS42 (1/2.5") and ZS7 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The FS42 was released 3 years earlier than the ZS7 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the FS42 grades versus the ZS7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic ZS7

 FS42 ZS7 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Panasonic FS42

 ZS7 FS42 
LaunchedJuly 2011April 2009Newer by 27 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS7

 FS42 ZS7 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS7 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FS42 versus Panasonic ZS7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the FS42 vs the ZS7.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and ZS7 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The image here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and ZS7.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic ZS7 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FS42 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography highlights
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS42
Street photography with Panasonic ZS7
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
low maximum ISO (1,000)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography information
16
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect auto focus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS7
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition in class (218g)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Landscape photography camera
22
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
38
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging information
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic socket
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-04-17 2011-07-19
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support 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 distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 pounds) 218 grams (0.48 pounds)
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 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 One One
Launch price $580 $350