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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Panasonic FS42 versus Sony S950, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the S950 (10MP) is very well matched but the FS42 (1/2.5") and S950 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizes.

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The FS42 was brought out 2 months after the S950 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the FS42 matches up vs the S950 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony S950

 FS42 S950 

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic FS42

 S950 FS42 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony S950

 FS42 S950 
IntroducedApril 2009February 2009Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS42 has outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS42 versus Sony S950 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the FS42 compared to the S950.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and S950 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specifications. The image underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and S950.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical MP but different sensor dimensions. The FS42 has the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography info
Sony S950 Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
26
you can focus manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS42
Street photography with Sony S950
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
low max ISO (1,000)
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography information
Sony S950 Sports photography information
16
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
Sony S950 Landscape photography advice
22
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
31
you can focus manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Sony S950
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone support
9
no video recording
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-04-17 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
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 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1000 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch 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
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132 grams (0.29 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $580 $130