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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Nikon S230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2000
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase 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 S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FS12, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S230 (10MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is pretty similar and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S230 was unveiled 2 months prior to the FS12 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the S230 matches up against the FS12 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Panasonic FS12

 S230 FS12 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Nikon S230

 FS12 S230 

Common features in the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FS12

 S230 FS12 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009April 2009Similar age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Nikon S230 comes with outer 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) while the Panasonic FS12 has sizing of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S230 and Panasonic FS12 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the S230 and the FS12.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S230 and FS12 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The photograph below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S230 and FS12.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic FS12 to offer you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S230 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography details
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S230
Street photography with Panasonic FS12
57
built in image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S230 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FS12 Sports photography factors
26
built in image stabilization (Digital)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S230 Travel photography information
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S230
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
31
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S230 Vlogging details
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging details
28
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S230 and Panasonic FS12
 Nikon Coolpix S230Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S230 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-02-03 2009-04-17
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 2000 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 115 gr (0.25 pounds) 129 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $150 $228