Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78
90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26


95 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33
Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S30 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78. The full galleries are provided at Nikon S30 Gallery & Panasonic FX78 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic FX78
S30 | FX78 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 13 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Nikon S30
FX78 | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S30 | Panasonic 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 |