Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1
93 Imaging
39 Features
24 Overall
33


96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L26 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1. The full galleries are provided at Nikon L26 Gallery & Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Panasonic S1
L26 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 14 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L26 | Panasonic 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 |