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Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
94
Imaging
41
Features
27
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Revealed January 2015
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Nikon L31 and Panasonic FS12, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the L31 (16MP) and FS12 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L31 was introduced 5 years after the FS12 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the L31 grades against the FS12 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Panasonic FS12

 L31 FS12 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2009Newer by 70 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Nikon L31

 FS12 L31 

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Panasonic FS12

 L31 FS12 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display measurements
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon L31 has got physical measurements of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has specifications of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon L31 and Panasonic FS12 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the L31 and the FS12.

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the L31 and FS12 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing technical specs. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L31 and FS12.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon L31 to render extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The newer L31 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L31
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
36
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (160g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L31 Travel photography features
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography features
68
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (160 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L31
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
39
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L31 Vlogging info
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging info
65
pretty wide (26mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Digital)
has face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (160 grams)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic jack
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Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Panasonic FS12
 Nikon Coolpix L31Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L31 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2015-01-14 2009-04-17
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.60 m 6.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 129g (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Style of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $0 $228