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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Introduced June 2013
Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched November 2008
  • Successor is Panasonic LX5
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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 Overview

Let's look closer at the Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S31 (10MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is relatively similar but the S31 (1/2.9") and LX3 (1/1.63") have different sensor sizes.

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The S31 was released 4 years later than the LX3 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the S31 grades against the LX3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Panasonic LX3

 S31 LX3 
LaunchedJune 2013November 2008Fresher by 57 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Nikon S31

 LX3 S31 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Panasonic LX3

 S31 LX3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon S31 features exterior dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Panasonic LX3 has specifications of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

See the Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the S31 and the LX3.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S31 and LX3 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S31 and LX3.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The S31 uses the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF trickier. The more recent S31 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography factors
20
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.9")
no RAW format
40
focusing manually
delivers RAW files
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Street photography camera
52
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.9")
no RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (265 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 Sports photography advice
Panasonic LX3 Sports photography advice
25
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.9")
no phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 Travel photography details
Panasonic LX3 Travel photography details
59
weather proofing
has built in flash
fast max aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
60
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (265 grams)
low resolution (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Landscape photography camera
30
fast max aperture (f)
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.9")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
52
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging info
Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
24
fast max aperture (f)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
30
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition (265g)
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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Panasonic LX3
 Nikon Coolpix S31Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S31 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-21 2008-11-04
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 4.96 x 3.72mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 18.5mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 24-60mm (2.5x)
Max aperture - f/2.0-2.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 7.3 4.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 8.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lbs) 265 gr (0.58 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 39
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.8
DXO Low light score not tested 94
Other
Battery life 260 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $90 $449