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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 front
Portability
72
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Panasonic FZ28
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 27-486mm (F2.8-4.4) lens
  • 417g - 118 x 75 x 89mm
  • Released January 2009
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic FZ28, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the FZ28 (10MP) is fairly similar but the S30 (1/3") and FZ28 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The S30 was announced 3 years later than the FZ28 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the S30 grades against the FZ28 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic FZ28

 S30 FZ28 
ReleasedFebruary 2012January 2009More recent by 38 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ28 over the Nikon S30

 FZ28 S30 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Panasonic FZ28

 S30 FZ28 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S30 provides outside measurements of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ28 has dimensions of 118mm x 75mm x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") and a weight of 417 grams (0.92 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic FZ28 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the S30 compared to the FZ28.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S30 and FZ28 is 90 and 72 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The graphic underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S30 and FZ28.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same resolution but different sensor measurements. The S30 has the tinier sensor which will make getting shallow DOF trickier. The fresher S30 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ28 Portrait photography features
25
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of RAW files
35
manual focus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S30
Street photography with Panasonic FZ28
51
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competition (214 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ28 as a Sports photography camera
29
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of phase detect AF
33
excellent zoom range (27-486mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 Travel photography details
Panasonic FZ28 Travel photography details
52
environment proofing
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (214 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
52
built-in flash
quite wide (27mm)
long reach (486mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FZ28 Landscape photography advice
26
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
40
manual focus
quite wide (27mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S30
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ28
23
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (214 grams)
24
quite wide (27mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic FZ28 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Panasonic FZ28
 Nikon Coolpix S30Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-01 2009-01-15
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 27-486mm (18.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-4.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.5 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 8.50 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 @ 30 fps, 848 x 480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 10fps
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 lb) 417 grams (0.92 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 118 x 75 x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 27
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 17.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 79
Other
Battery life 240 photographs -
Form of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $119 $599