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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5

Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 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
  • Launched February 2009
Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP5, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the S230 (10MP) and FP5 (14MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S230 was manufactured 23 months prior to the FP5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the S230 scores vs the FP5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Panasonic FP5

 S230 FP5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Nikon S230

 FP5 S230 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009Fresher by 23 months

Common features in the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP5

 S230 FP5 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S230 comes with physical dimensions 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 FP5 has dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the S230 vs the FP5.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S230 and FP5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The visual below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S230 and FP5.

To sum up, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic FP5 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older S230 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S230 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FP5 Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S230
Street photography with Panasonic FP5
57
has image stabilization (Digital)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S230 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FP5 as a Sports photography camera
26
has image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
has tracking focus
better than average battery (260 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S230 Travel photography details
Panasonic FP5 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
better than average battery (260 per charge)
includes touch focus
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S230 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FP5 Landscape photography information
31
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Digital)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
40
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
better than average battery (260 shots)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S230 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP5 as a Vlogging camera
28
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic socket
30
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FP5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S230 and Panasonic FP5
 Nikon Coolpix S230Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S230 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-02-03 2011-01-05
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 2000 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 115 gr (0.25 pounds) 141 gr (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 life - 260 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model 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
Pricing at launch $150 $199