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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 Key Specs

Nikon S230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 2000
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
  • Released February 2009
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP3, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the S230 (10MP) and FP3 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S230 was launched 11 months before the FP3 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the S230 matches up vs the FP3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Panasonic FP3

 S230 FP3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Nikon S230

 FP3 S230 
IntroducedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 11 months

Common features in the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP3

 S230 FP3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S230 enjoys outside measurements of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 115 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Panasonic FP3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the S230 against the FP3.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S230 and FP3 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The graphic underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S230 and FP3.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FP3 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The older S230 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S230 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S230 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
60
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition (155g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S230
Sports photography with Panasonic FP3
26
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S230 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FP3 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
boasts touch focus
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (155 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S230
Landscape photography with Panasonic FP3
31
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
37
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S230 Vlogging information
Panasonic FP3 Vlogging information
28
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone socket
27
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
more heavy than competition (155 grams)
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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP3
 Nikon Coolpix S230Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S230 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2009-02-03 2010-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 2000 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 115 gr (0.25 pounds) 155 gr (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID EN-EL10 -
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $150 $182