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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic FX78, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the FX78 (12MP) is very similar but the S30 (1/3") and FX78 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The S30 was revealed 13 months after the FX78 making them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the S30 scores vs the FX78 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic FX78

 S30 FX78 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012January 2011Newer by 13 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Nikon S30

 FX78 S30 
Display dimensions3.5"2.7"Larger display (+0.8")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Panasonic FX78

 S30 FX78 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon S30 offers external dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Panasonic FX78 has proportions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic FX78 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the S30 and the FX78.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and FX78 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by going over technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and FX78.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S30 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic FX78 will deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher S30 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Portrait photography camera
25
provides face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S30
Street photography with Panasonic FX78
51
environment proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition in class (214 grams)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
29
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
environment proof
max frames per second very slow (1.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of phase detect AF
28
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,400 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FX78 Travel photography factors
52
environment proof
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (214 grams)
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
56
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography info
26
environment proof
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
36
quite wide (24mm)
big screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging features
Panasonic FX78 Vlogging features
23
provides face detection focusing
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (214 grams)
33
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Panasonic FX78
 Nikon Coolpix S30Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
Also called - Lumix DMC-FX77
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-01 2011-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1400s
Continuous shooting rate 1.5 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 grams (0.47 pounds) 142 grams (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 life 240 images 200 images
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $119 $210