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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
24
Overall
33
Nikon Coolpix L26 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Nikon L26
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 164g - 96 x 60 x 29mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the L26 (16MP) and S1 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L26 was revealed 14 months after the S1 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the L26 matches up against the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Panasonic S1

 L26 S1 
ReleasedFebruary 2012January 2011More modern by 14 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Nikon L26

 S1 L26 

Common features in the Nikon L26 and Panasonic S1

 L26 S1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon L26 provides exterior measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the L26 versus the S1.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the L26 and S1 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the L26 and S1.

Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon L26 to provide more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The newer L26 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L26 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L26 Street photography factors
Panasonic S1 Street photography factors
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L26 Sports photography factors
Panasonic S1 Sports photography factors
27
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L26 Travel photography details
Panasonic S1 Travel photography details
62
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
62
lighter than average (117 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L26 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
37
really wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L26
Vlogging with Panasonic S1
28
really wide (26mm)
features face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L26 and Panasonic S1
 Nikon Coolpix L26Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L26 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-01 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164 grams (0.36 pounds) 117 grams (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 60 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 200 photographs 240 photographs
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $70 $269