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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 front
Portability
94
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched June 2013
Panasonic FH27
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 152g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and FH27 (16MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and FH27 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The S31 was unveiled 2 years later than the FH27 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the S31 scores against the FH27 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Panasonic FH27

 S31 FH27 
AnnouncedJune 2013January 2011Fresher by 30 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH27 over the Nikon S31

 FH27 S31 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Panasonic FH27

 S31 FH27 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S31 has got outside measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Panasonic FH27 has dimensions of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the S31 versus the FH27.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S31 and FH27 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S31 and FH27.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S31 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic FH27 will give you extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent S31 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S31
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH27
19
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
has no RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH27 as a Street photography camera
52
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
has no RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FH27 Sports photography factors
24
weather sealing
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
has no phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S31
Travel photography with Panasonic FH27
59
weather sealing
flash built-in
very good maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
68
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S31
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH27
30
very good maximum aperture (f)
weather sealing
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse function
42
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging information
Panasonic FH27 Vlogging information
24
very good maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
32
really wide (28mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FH27 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Panasonic FH27
 Nikon Coolpix S31Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S31 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-21 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine VI
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 18.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 7.3 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.80 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure 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 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format - 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 185 grams (0.41 lbs) 152 grams (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 99 x 57 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 photos 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $90 $229