Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R
95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Increase to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Revealed April 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Announced August 2012
- Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
- Renewed by Sony NEX-5T

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and NEX-5R (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

The FS42 was released 4 years prior to the NEX-5R which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the FS42 scores versus the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS42 Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony NEX-5R
FS42 | NEX-5R |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Panasonic FS42
NEX-5R | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2012 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 41 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+690k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony NEX-5R
FS42 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 offers outer measurements 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 Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the FS42 versus the NEX-5R.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and NEX-5R is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and NEX-5R.
As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-5R will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged FS42 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Category | Ultracompact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2009-04-17 | 2012-08-29 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 1000 | 25600 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 33-132mm (4.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 6.3 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | - | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 132 grams (0.29 lb) | 276 grams (0.61 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 shots |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $580 | $750 |