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Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix L32 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Nikon L32
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 164g - 95 x 60 x 29mm
  • Announced January 2015
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Photography Glossary

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the L32 (20MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the L32 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor size.

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The L32 was launched 5 years after the FS42 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the L32 matches up versus the FS42 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L32 over the Panasonic FS42

 L32 FS42 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2009Newer by 70 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon L32

 FS42 L32 

Common features in the Nikon L32 and Panasonic FS42

 L32 FS42 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon L32 enjoys outer measurements of 95mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the L32 vs the FS42.

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L32 and FS42 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing specifications. The picture here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the L32 and FS42.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The L32 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Nikon L32 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The younger L32 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L32 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography advice
38
good resolution (20 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L32 Street photography details
Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others (164 grams)
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
low max ISO (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L32 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography advice
47
image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good battery life (320 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
16
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L32 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography highlights
71
good battery life (320 per charge)
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others (164g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L32 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography info
48
decently wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (20MP)
good battery life (320 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L32 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
66
decently wide (26mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.2)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
more heavy than others (164 grams)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Nikon L32 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L32 and Panasonic FS42
 Nikon Coolpix L32Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L32 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5152 x 3864 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.30 m 6.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164 gr (0.36 lb) 132 gr (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 60 x 29mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 320 images -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $120 $580