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Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
97
Imaging
33
Features
16
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S01 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 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
  • Announced June 2013
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon S01 and Panasonic FS15, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S01 (10MP) and the FS15 (12MP) is relatively similar but the S01 (1/2.9") and FS15 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The S01 was manufactured 4 years after the FS15 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S01 matches up vs the FS15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S01 over the Panasonic FS15

 S01 FS15 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2009More modern by 54 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Nikon S01

 FS15 S01 
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon S01 and Panasonic FS15

 S01 FS15 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S01 enjoys physical measurements of 77mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 96 grams (0.21 lbs) and the Panasonic FS15 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S01 and Panasonic FS15 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the S01 and the FS15.

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S01 and FS15 is 97 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The image underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S01 and FS15.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S01 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic FS15 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern S01 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S01 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography advice
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S01 Street photography information
Panasonic FS15 Street photography information
55
lighter than competition in class (96 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S01 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
terrible battery (190 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S01
Travel photography with Panasonic FS15
55
lighter than competition in class (96 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (190 per charge)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S01 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Landscape photography camera
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.5")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
terrible battery (190 per charge)
no Timelapse function
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S01 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Vlogging camera
27
built-in touchscreen
lighter than competition in class (96 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic jack
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Nikon S01 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S01 and Panasonic FS15
 Nikon Coolpix S01Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S01 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2013-06-21 2009-01-16
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 18.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 29-145mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 7.3 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 1.20 m -
Flash modes - Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format - 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 96g (0.21 pounds) 136g (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 77 x 52 x 17mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID Built-in -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots - Single
Launch price $170 $180