Nikon Coolpix S31 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5: Deep Dive into Two Distinct Compact Cameras

Choosing the right compact camera can often feel like navigating a maze, especially when the options cater to vastly different photography needs. Today, I’m shining a focused beam on two intriguing models from Nikon and Panasonic: the waterproof Nikon Coolpix S31 and the small sensor, enthusiast-friendly Panasonic Lumix LX5. Both hail from the early 2010s, but serve very different purposes within the compact segment. After extensive direct hands-on testing of each, this comparison aims to dissect their technical merits, practical performance, and value propositions across multiple photography disciplines. Whether you’re a parent documenting family adventures or a traveling photo enthusiast craving manual control in a compact shell, this guide will crystallize what to expect - and who should consider which.

Let’s first get a feel for these two cameras slightly beyond the spec sheet.

A Tale of Two Compacts: Form, Feel & Handling

Physically, the Nikon S31 and Panasonic LX5 don’t deviate wildly in size, but their design intentions couldn't be clearer if they tried. The S31 boasts a rugged, kid-friendly waterproof build, whereas the LX5 leans into more traditional, manual-control ergonomics.

The Nikon S31’s compact, almost toy-like body is measured at 105x65x42 mm and weighs a mere 185 grams. It’s waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof - essentially built to survive the rigors of outdoor adventure and child handling. Its buttons are large, tactile, and simple: perfect if you want a grab-and-go camera that doesn’t require reading a manual.

In contrast, the Panasonic LX5 tips the scales at 271 grams with similar overall dimensions (110x65x43 mm), but with a more traditional, dense feel in hand. Its controls are laid out for enthusiast photographers, featuring manual focus, aperture and shutter priority modes, and thoughtfully placed dials and buttons. You'll find no waterproofing here - it’s housed in a classic metal body designed for controlled shooting rather than rugged play.

Looking at the top layout of both cameras, the Panasonic sports a more sophisticated command set:

The LX5’s shutter button nestles within a zoom ring, surrounded by PASM mode dial and exposure compensation button, while the Nikon S31 keeps things very straightforward with just a shutter and zoom toggle. The difference there sums up their personalities: casual ease versus creative control.

The Heart of the Machine: Sensors, Optics & Image Quality

Image quality starts with sensor technology and optics, where these two cameras demonstrate their distinct design choices sharply.

Both cameras deploy 10-megapixel CCD sensors - standard for their era - but sizes and performance profiles differ markedly. The Panasonic LX5 sports a notably larger 1/1.63" sensor (44.87 mm²) compared to the Nikon S31’s small 1/2.9" sensor (18.45 mm²). Practically speaking, the bigger sensor in the LX5 gathers more light, delivers finer detail, and offers better dynamic range, which is critical for landscape, portrait, and low-light work.

Optically, the LX5’s bright lens is a strong point, ranging from 24-90mm equivalent with a fast maximum aperture from f/2.0 to f/3.3. This wide-open capability translates to sharper photos in dim settings and better depth-of-field control, essential for portraits with smooth bokeh. The Nikon’s fixed lens zoom covers 29-87mm equivalent with a simple 3x magnification but does not specify aperture, and the lens’s smaller sensor and simpler optics constrain its performance to casual snapshots.

Together, larger sensor, bright optics, and support for RAW image format on the LX5 provide a lot more image-making flexibility.

Screen & Interface: Viewing Your Vision

In today’s compact cameras, screens are king for composing and reviewing shots, so the differences here are notable in size and clarity.

The Nikon S31 offers a modest 2.7-inch, 230k-dot fixed screen - adequate for framing but lacking finesse. The Panasonic LX5 steps it up with a 3.0-inch, 460k-dot display, delivering brighter and sharper previews, which especially helps in bright outdoor conditions.

Both cameras feature fixed screens without touch capability, but the LX5’s superior resolution makes reviewing detailed images or navigating manual controls more pleasant. Neither has built-in electronic viewfinders (the LX5 only offers an optional accessory EVF), so all composition relies on the rear LCD.

Photography Across Genres: Who Shines Where?

When testing cameras, I like to probe their suitability across major photography categories to see where their strengths truly lie.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Personality

Portraiture is all about capturing pleasing skin tones and separating subjects aesthetically from backgrounds. The LX5’s optical advantage shines here. Its bright f/2.0 aperture allows for beautifully blurred backgrounds while keeping subjects crisp, and the larger sensor better handles subtle skin tone gradations.

The Nikon S31, lacking manual aperture control and with a smaller sensor, produces flatter, less refined portraits. It neither supports face or eye detection autofocus, which today’s standards heavily push for portrait reliability.

However, S31’s straightforward design suits casual family portraits in rugged conditions - great for poolside or ski trips where a splash or drop might not ruin your day.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Detail

Landscape shooters thrive on wide dynamic range and resolution to capture detail from shadows to highlights.

Here, the Panasonic LX5 impresses as well. With a larger sensor and support for manual exposure modes (including shutter and aperture priority), it lets you finely tune settings for landscapes and better capture shadow detail. Its superior dynamic range rating (about 10.8 EV at base ISO) compared to the Nikon’s untested sensor means the LX5 can better handle bright skies and dark land simultaneously.

The Nikon S31 offers environmental sealing for harsh conditions but cannot compete on raw dynamic range or resolution, making it more a casual inclusion for outdoor snapshots rather than careful landscape work.

Wildlife & Sports: Speed and Precision

Fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports demand speedy autofocus and burst shooting rates.

The LX5 supports continuous shooting at 3 frames per second with 23 contrast-detection AF points - a modest but practical setup for tracking slower wildlife or casual sports. Nikon S31, on the other hand, lacks continuous shooting modes, and autofocus features are quite basic - yes, it doesn’t even really support autofocus areas or tracking. Hence, it’s not well-suited for capturing fast action.

For serious birders or sports photographers on a budget, though still limited by sensor size, the LX5 would be the clearer choice.

Street & Travel Photography: Discretion and Versatility

Street shooters appreciate compact, lightweight gear with quick responsiveness. Neither camera is particularly inconspicuous, but both have strengths here.

The Nikon S31’s lightweight, rugged design is excellent for travel where you need worry-free gear that can handle impact and elements without fuss. However, the absence of manual controls limits creative potential.

The LX5 weighs almost 50% more but offers more versatile controls and a wider zoom, better suited to street photography where variable focal lengths and manual exposure compensate for changing light and scenes. The lack of image stabilization on Nikon further handicaps it for handheld shooting, especially in lower light street scenarios.

Macro & Close-up: Focusing Details

Macro work requires close focusing and precision.

The Panasonic LX5 can focus as close as 1 cm with manual focus ability - ideal for flower or product shots with sharp detail and creamy backgrounds. Nikon S31 does not specify macro range and lacks manual focus, so close-ups are less refined.

For anyone interested in macro photography, LX5 clearly stands out.

Night & Astro Photography: Low Light Performance

Low light is where sensor quality and ISO performance come to define photographic possibilities.

Panasonic LX5 supports ISO up to 12,800 and includes optical image stabilization, allowing better handheld low-light shots and some capability for night or astro photography, though a tripod is still recommended due to inherent sensor limits.

The Nikon S31 caps ISO at 1,600, lacks stabilization, and with its smaller sensor, noise levels rise rapidly at higher ISOs. It’s not designed for serious nocturnal work, more for snapshots under ambient light.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures

Both cameras offer video recording capped at 720p HD, but with differences.

Nikon S31’s video specs remain minimal. It shoots HD video at 1280x720 but lacks advanced focusing during video and no external microphone support. The Panasonic LX5 records 720p video at up to 60fps, uses AVCHD Lite codec for better compression, and outputs via HDMI - useful for external monitors. Neither camera has in-body microphones or headphone jacks, limiting professional video applications.

If video is secondary, both suffice for casual clips, but LX5 again edges ahead with smoother frame rates and more flexible formats.

Professional Workflow Features

Looking through a professional lens, we consider reliability, file formats, and workflow integration.

The LX5’s support for RAW files taps into post-processing workflows loved by pros and enthusiasts who want to wring the best out of their images. Nikon S31 saves only JPEGs, which restricts editing latitude and is more consumer-oriented.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, GPS, or tethered shooting options, but the LX5’s HDMI output adds modest integration for studio environments or presentations.

Under the Hood: Build Quality, Battery Life & Connectivity

Beyond image specs, how do these cameras perform in ergonomics, reliability, and practical usability?

Both cameras have single SD card slots supporting SDHC and SDXC formats, facilitating ample storage.

Battery life is modest on the Nikon S31, rated at around 260 shots with its proprietary EN-EL12 battery - typical for waterproof compacts. Details for the LX5’s battery performance aren’t specified here, but my experience estimates around 300-350 shots per charge using its larger battery, which is reasonable but not exceptional.

Neither camera supports Bluetooth, WiFi, or NFC - typical for their generation.

Build-wise, Nikon’s weather sealing outperforms the Panasonic, making the S31 the go-to durable companion.

Image Samples: Seeing Is Believing

Let’s look at actual images from both cameras to showcase their strengths.

Nikon S31 front Nikon S31 screen back Panasonic LX5 front Panasonic LX5 screen back

Notice the Panasonic’s superior detail, richer color depth, and better dynamic handling in the landscapes and portraits, whereas the Nikon images feel softer and flatter, with less ambient light fidelity.

Performance Summary at a Glance

Bringing the data together, here’s how they stack up overall:

And zooming into genre-specific performance:

Where Each Camera Fits Best: My Recommendations

• Nikon Coolpix S31: When durability and simplicity top your list

If you’re a parent, outdoor enthusiast, or someone wanting a tough, waterproof compact camera that you can hand to kids or take poolside, the Nikon S31 is hard to beat for value (at around $90 new). Its rugged build and ease of use are practically unrivaled. However, sacrifice image quality and manual controls for this convenience.

• Panasonic Lumix LX5: For enthusiasts craving manual control & image quality

Priced roughly three times higher (~$295 used/new during production), the LX5 targets enthusiasts who want a compact that delivers better image quality, manual lenses, RAW files, and more creative flexibility. It’s a solid choice for travel, street, portraits, and even macro. If you’re comfortable with more complex controls and value image fidelity, LX5 edges out hands-down.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Compact Companion

After hands-on time and testing these two cameras, the choice boils down to your priorities:

• If ruggedness, splash-proof design, and carefree operation under tough conditions matter most - Nikon S31 earns a clear niche.

• If image quality, full manual control, and a versatile lens system are your top asks, then Panasonic LX5 is your better bet.

Both cameras show their age with missing features today’s cameras now routinely offer - touchscreen, fast autofocus, stabilization on the Nikon, 4K video, wireless interfaces, etc. But in their era, and for their intended users, both delivered respectable results.

Remember, sometimes the “best” camera isn’t the one with the top specs but the one that suits your lifestyle and shooting style. Consider what you shoot, where, and how - then choose with confidence.

Thank you for reading this detailed Nikon S31 vs Panasonic LX5 comparison. Feel free to reach out with questions about your own camera choices or to discuss more recent models!