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Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
27
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched January 2015
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the L31 (16MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the L31 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The L31 was introduced 5 years later than the FS42 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the L31 matches up against the FS42 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Panasonic FS42

 L31 FS42 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2009More recent by 70 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon L31

 FS42 L31 

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Panasonic FS42

 L31 FS42 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L31 provides outside measurements of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the L31 compared to the FS42.

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the L31 and FS42 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the L31 and FS42.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The L31 using its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon L31 will resolve greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher L31 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
55
image stabilization (Digital)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average (160g)
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L31 Sports photography details
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography details
40
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
16
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L31
Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
68
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (160g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L31 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
39
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L31 Vlogging information
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging information
65
rather wide (26mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
heavier than average (160 grams)
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Nikon L31 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Panasonic FS42
 Nikon Coolpix L31Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L31 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2015-01-14 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1000
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.60 m 6.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 132 gr (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $580