Leica X Vario vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
      58
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      39
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica X Vario and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Leica X Vario was introduced in June 2013 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 was introduced in April 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Leica X Vario Highlights

      • 16.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,500 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 920k dot Fixed Screen
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Highlights

      • 10.1 MP 1/2.5-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,000 Native ISO
      • 2.50" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2.3 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 640 x 480 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Leica X Vario
      4. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Leica X Vario and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42.

      PROS

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      •   Video Capture
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"

      Advantage of Leica X Vario

      Leica X Vario
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica X Vario over Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42.

      Leica X Vario vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.5-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixel vs 10.1 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 12,500 vs 1,000
      Max Image Resolution 4928 x 3272 vs 3648 x 2736
      RAW Support vs
      Face Detection vs
      Reaches Wider Angle 28 mm vs 33 mm
      Min Normal Focus Distance 30 cm vs 50 cm
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.50"
      Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
      Viewfinder Electronic (optional) vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 2.3 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 640 x 480
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica X Vario.

      Leica X1
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      APS-C

      12.2 MP

      Leica X2
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Leica X (Typ 113)
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Leica X-U
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Panasonic GX9
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Canon A3000 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10 MP

      Sony a9 II
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Samsung ST80
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      1/2.33-inch

      14.2 MP

      Olympus TG-4
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon SX160 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony WX5
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.2 MP

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      Panasonic FS42
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 over Leica X Vario.

      Leica X Vario vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 80
      Reachs More Telephoto 70 mm vs 132 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 2.5x vs 4x
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.5 vs f/2.8
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.4 vs f/5.9
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 60 sec
      Lighter 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) vs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42.

      Panasonic FS15
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Panasonic FS25
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Panasonic FS12
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      1/2.33-inch

      12 MP

      Olympus SZ-30MR
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SP-800UZ
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      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Canon S110
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Kodak Z950
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      1/2.33-inch

      12 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon G11
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      1/1.7-inch

      10 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Leica X Vario Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO12,5001,000
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Leica X Vario Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
        Timelapse Recording
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/2000 sec1/2000 sec
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 1080640 x 480
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Leica X Vario has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 has a 2.50" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

      Camera does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached on Leica X Vario.

      Sensor

      Leica X Vario features a 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,500. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 features a 10.1 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 5.744 x 4.308 mm and a total area of 18.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,000 and expands to 80 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

      Photography Features

      Leica X Vario can take pictures up to 4928 x 3272 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4944 x 3272, 4288 x 2856, 3264 x 2160, 2144 x1424, 1632 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2056, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 2048, 3072 x 1728, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1712, 2560 x 1440, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Leica X Vario comes with BP-DC8 battery pack with battery life of 450 shots and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 comes with DMW-BCF10 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Leica X Vario has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Leica X Vario, and up to 1/2000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. Leica X Vario can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 can shoot continuously up to 2.3 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.30 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. Leica X Vario also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount..

      Physical Parameters

      Leica X Vario body has dimensions of 133 x 73 x 95 mm (5.24 x 2.87 x 3.74") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 body has dimensions of 98 x 55 x 22 mm (3.86 x 2.17 x 0.87"). Leica X Vario weighs 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 weighs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz).

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      133 mm

      73 mm

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      98 mm

      55 mm

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      73 mm

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      55 mm

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      95 mm

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      22 mm

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      Size comparisons of Leica X Vario and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      Leica X Vario and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      GOOD
      71
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      41
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      AVERAGE
      62
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      BAD
      37
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      POOR
      53
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      POOR
      49
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      GOOD
      79
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      POOR
      41
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      GOOD
      77
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Leica X Vario and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and give them scores of 58 and 39 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      39

      Sensor

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      GOOD
      72
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78
      BAD
      38
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      BAD
      26
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      BAD
      2
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480

      Focusing

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      POOR
      48
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      38
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Leica X Vario

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      POOR
      49
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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