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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 front
Portability
69
Imaging
32
Features
25
Overall
29

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Sony H50
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-465mm (F2.7-4.5) lens
  • 547g - 116 x 81 x 86mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic FS42 and Sony H50, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the H50 (9MP) is fairly comparable but the FS42 (1/2.5") and H50 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The FS42 was manufactured 4 months later than the H50 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony H50 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the FS42 grades against the H50 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony H50

 FS42 H50 

Reasons to pick Sony H50 over the Panasonic FS42

 H50 FS42 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony H50

 FS42 H50 
LaunchedApril 2009January 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 has physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Sony H50 has measurements of 116mm x 81mm x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4") having a weight of 547 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS42 and Sony H50 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the FS42 vs the H50.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and H50 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and H50.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FS42 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Panasonic FS42 will produce more detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony H50 as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
27
manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography information
Sony H50 Street photography information
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
max ISO too low (1,000)
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others (547 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography factors
Sony H50 Sports photography factors
16
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
32
incredible zoom range (31-465mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (9MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography highlights
Sony H50 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
44
built-in flash
long reach (465mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than others (547g)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS42
Landscape photography with Sony H50
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
34
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
Sony H50 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic port
19
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic socket
heavier than others (547g)
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony H50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Sony H50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-04-17 2009-01-15
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 10 megapixels 9 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 1000 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 31-465mm (15.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.7-4.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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) 640 x 480, 30 fps, 320 x 240, 8 fps
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 lb) 547g (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 116 x 81 x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4")
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 - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $580 $80