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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 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
  • Released April 2009
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Panasonic. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and ZS8 (14MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and ZS8 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The FS42 was introduced 3 years earlier than the ZS8 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the FS42 scores versus the ZS8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Panasonic ZS8

 FS42 ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Panasonic FS42

 ZS8 FS42 
IntroducedJuly 2011April 2009Fresher by 27 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS8

 FS42 ZS8 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 comes with outer 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 ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FS42 compared to the ZS8.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and ZS8 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by looking at specifications. The photograph here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and ZS8.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FS42 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Panasonic ZS8 will resolve more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The older FS42 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW support
30
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW support
maximum ISO low (1,000)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
16
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS8
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography advice
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging highlights
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic port
30
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic FS42 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Panasonic ZS8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-04-17 2011-07-19
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
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 10MP 14MP
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 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 lb) 210g (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 - 340 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $580 $275