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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
24
Overall
33
Nikon Coolpix L26 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Nikon L26
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 164g - 96 x 60 x 29mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • Introduced January 2011
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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the L26 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L26 was introduced 14 months after the S3 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the L26 scores versus the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Panasonic S3

 L26 S3 
IntroducedFebruary 2012January 2011Newer by 14 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon L26

 S3 L26 

Common features in the Nikon L26 and Panasonic S3

 L26 S3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon L26 enjoys outer dimensions of 96mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the L26 against the S3.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the L26 and S3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specifications. The picture below may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L26 and S3.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon L26 to provide extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern L26 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L26 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
28
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L26 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L26 Sports photography advice
Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
27
MP count good (16MP)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L26 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
62
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery power (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L26 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
37
relatively wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (200 shots)
no Timelapse recording
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L26 Vlogging details
Panasonic S3 Vlogging details
28
relatively wide (26mm)
has face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L26 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Coolpix L26Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L26 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-01 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone 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 164 grams (0.36 lb) 117 grams (0.26 lb)
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 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 life 200 pictures 250 pictures
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $70 $110