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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • 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 W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Revealed February 2014
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 Overview

Below is a thorough review of the Panasonic FS42 versus Sony W800, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and W800 (20MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and W800 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was revealed 5 years prior to the W800 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W800 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the FS42 grades versus the W800 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony W800

 FS42 W800 

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Panasonic FS42

 W800 FS42 
RevealedFebruary 2014April 2009More recent by 58 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony W800

 FS42 W800 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 has outer dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony W800 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS42 versus Sony W800 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the FS42 vs the W800.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and W800 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and W800.

As you can see, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FS42 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony W800 will produce more detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older FS42 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Sony W800
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
38
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
Sony W800 as a Street photography camera
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
maximum ISO low (1,000)
65
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Sony W800
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
43
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography advice
Sony W800 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average in class (125g)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
Sony W800 Landscape photography advice
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Sony W800
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
33
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (125g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Sony W800
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-04-17 2014-02-13
Body design 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 10MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 1000 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVI MPEG4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 125g (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $580 $90