Clicky

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 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
  • Revealed June 2013
Panasonic FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Nikon S31 versus Panasonic FX90, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S31 (10MP) and the FX90 (12MP) is pretty similar but the S31 (1/2.9") and FX90 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The S31 was introduced 23 months after the FX90 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the S31 matches up vs the FX90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Panasonic FX90

 S31 FX90 
LaunchedJune 2013August 2011Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Nikon S31

 FX90 S31 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Panasonic FX90

 S31 FX90 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S31 enjoys outer 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 FX90 has sizing of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S31 versus Panasonic FX90 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the S31 and the FX90.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S31 and FX90 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over technical specs. The image here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S31 and FX90.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S31 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic FX90 will offer you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher S31 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
has no RAW files
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Nikon S31 Street photography features
Panasonic FX90 Street photography features
52
weather proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
has no RAW files
62
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Sports photography camera
24
weather proof
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
has no phase detect AF
30
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S31
Travel photography with Panasonic FX90
59
weather proof
flash built-in
fast max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (29mm)
60
has touch to focus
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (200 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography highlights
30
fast max aperture (f)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.9")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
36
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Vlogging camera
24
fast max aperture (f)
wide angle not good (29mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
33
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic FX90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Panasonic FX90
 Nikon Coolpix S31Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S31 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2011-08-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 18.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 7.3 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185g (0.41 lb) 149g (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures 200 pictures
Form of battery 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 cost $90 $227