Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12
96 Imaging
33 Features
21 Overall
28


95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26
Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S230 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12. The full galleries are provided at Nikon S230 Gallery & Panasonic FS12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Panasonic FS12
S230 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2009 | ![]() | April 2009 | Similar age |
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S230 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S230 | Panasonic 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 |