Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W530

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic FS42 and Sony W530, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and W530 (14MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and W530 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The FS42 was launched 20 months earlier than the W530 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FS42 matches up versus the W530 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic FS42 Gallery and Sony W530 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 has got 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) and the Sony W530 has specifications of 93mm x 53mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FS42 and Sony W530 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the FS42 compared to the W530.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and W530 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Generally, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and W530.

As you can see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony W530 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged FS42 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.