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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively close but the FS42 (1/2.5") and W90 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS42 was launched 10 months before the W90 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the FS42 grades versus the W90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax W90

 FS42 W90 

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic FS42

 W90 FS42 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010April 2009More recent by 10 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax W90

 FS42 W90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the FS42 against the W90.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and W90 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and W90.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FS42 because of its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax W90 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older FS42 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography factors
Pentax W90 Portrait photography factors
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography advice
Pentax W90 Street photography advice
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW format
low maximum ISO (1,000)
54
weather proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography advice
Pentax W90 Sports photography advice
16
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
weather proofing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography highlights
Pentax W90 Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
weather proofing
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS42
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
22
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
37
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging features
Pentax W90 Vlogging features
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic jack
25
decently wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Optio W90
Class Ultracompact Waterproof
Announced 2009-04-17 2010-02-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 164g (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $580 $120