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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Later Model is Nikon AW110
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic S3, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was launched 8 months after the S3 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the AW100 grades versus the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic S3

 AW100 S3 
LaunchedAugust 2011January 2011Newer by 8 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon AW100

 S3 AW100 

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic S3

 AW100 S3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW100 features exterior measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic S3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the AW100 versus the S3.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and S3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and S3.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon AW100 to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern AW100 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography information
Panasonic S3 Street photography information
55
environment sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography factors
Panasonic S3 Sports photography factors
33
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography details
Panasonic S3 Travel photography details
67
environment sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.9)
68
lighter than average (117 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
41
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment sealing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
38
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging info
Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
29
relatively wide (28mm)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone port
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-08-24 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $299 $110