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Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
96
Imaging
46
Features
32
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S2900 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Nikon S2900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 119g - 95 x 59 x 20mm
  • Released January 2015
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Nikon S2900 versus Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the S2900 (20MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the S2900 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") offer different sensor size.

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The S2900 was revealed 5 years after the FS42 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the S2900 grades vs the FS42 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S2900 over the Panasonic FS42

 S2900 FS42 
LaunchedJanuary 2015April 2009More modern by 70 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon S2900

 FS42 S2900 

Common features in the Nikon S2900 and Panasonic FS42

 S2900 FS42 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon S2900 features outside measurements of 95mm x 59mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic FS42 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Nikon S2900 versus Panasonic FS42 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the S2900 against the FS42.

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S2900 and FS42 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S2900 and FS42.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S2900 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Nikon S2900 will give more detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent S2900 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S2900 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography factors
39
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S2900 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Digital)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
maximum ISO low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S2900 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography advice
51
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has tracking autofocus
good battery power (250 CIPA)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
16
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S2900 Travel photography features
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography features
70
good battery power (250 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S2900 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography features
44
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good battery power (250 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse mode
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S2900 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging advice
32
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
has face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Nikon S2900 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S2900 and Panasonic FS42
 Nikon Coolpix S2900Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S2900 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2015-01-14 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 20 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5152 x 3864 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 1000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 6.3
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 6.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 119g (0.26 lb) 132g (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 59 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.8") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $117 $580