Clicky

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Nikon Coolpix S1200pj front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Nikon S1200pj
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.8) lens
  • 186g - 107 x 64 x 23mm
  • Released August 2011
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Push to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Photography Glossary

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon S1200pj versus Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the S1200pj (14MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the S1200pj (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") use different sensor sizing.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The S1200pj was brought out 2 years after the FS42 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the S1200pj matches up vs the FS42 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S1200pj over the Panasonic FS42

 S1200pj FS42 
RevealedAugust 2011April 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon S1200pj

 FS42 S1200pj 

Common features in the Nikon S1200pj and Panasonic FS42

 S1200pj FS42 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S1200pj offers physical dimensions of 107mm x 64mm x 23mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 0.9") having a weight of 186 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S1200pj versus Panasonic FS42 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the S1200pj versus the FS42.

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1200pj and FS42 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through a spec sheet. The pic below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S1200pj and FS42.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S1200pj due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon S1200pj will render more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent S1200pj should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S1200pj
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Nikon S1200pj Street photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Street photography advice
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than average (186 grams)
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
max ISO too low (1,000)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Nikon S1200pj Sports photography features
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography features
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (0.8 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no phase detect auto focus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Nikon S1200pj Travel photography details
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography details
61
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (186 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S1200pj Landscape photography info
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography info
42
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S1200pj as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
29
fairly wide (28mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than average (186 grams)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic socket
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon S1200pj vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S1200pj and Panasonic FS42
 Nikon Coolpix S1200pjPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S1200pj Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2011-08-24 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1000
Max boosted ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.9-5.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 0.8fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 6.30 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30,15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 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 186g (0.41 pounds) 132g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 107 x 64 x 23mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 0.9") 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 model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $499 $580