Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W650

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FS42 and Sony W650, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and W650 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and W650 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The FS42 was brought out 3 years earlier than the W650 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W650 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FS42 scores against the W650 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic FS42 Gallery and Sony W650 Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS42 has got outer dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony W650 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FS42 and Sony W650 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the FS42 versus the W650.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and W650 is 95 and 96 respectively.

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and W650.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FS42 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony W650 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older FS42 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.