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Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
97
Imaging
34
Features
16
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S01 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Nikon S01
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 96g - 77 x 52 x 17mm
  • Released June 2013
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost 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 S01 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S01 (10MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is very similar but the S01 (1/2.9") and FS12 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The S01 was revealed 4 years later than the FS12 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the S01 scores against the FS12 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S01 over the Panasonic FS12

 S01 FS12 
AnnouncedJune 2013April 2009More recent by 51 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Nikon S01

 FS12 S01 
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon S01 and Panasonic FS12

 S01 FS12 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S01 provides outer dimensions of 77mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 96 grams (0.21 lbs) while the Panasonic FS12 has dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

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Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the S01 compared to the FS12.

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S01 and FS12 is 97 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S01 and FS12.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The S01 with its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Panasonic FS12 will offer more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more modern S01 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S01 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography details
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
lacks RAW format
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S01
Street photography with Panasonic FS12
55
lighter than competition (96 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.9")
lacks RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S01 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Sports photography advice
17
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
terrible battery pack (190 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S01
Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
55
lighter than competition (96g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (190 per charge)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S01
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
23
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery pack (190 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
28
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S01 Vlogging info
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging info
27
touchscreen functionality
lighter than competition (96g)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S01 and Panasonic FS12
 Nikon Coolpix S01Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S01 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2013-06-21 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 18.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 7.3 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 1.20 m 6.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format - 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 96 grams (0.21 pounds) 129 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 77 x 52 x 17mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 190 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID Built-in -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots - 1
Cost at release $170 $228