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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 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 SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Nikon S31 versus Panasonic SZ8, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and SZ8 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The S31 was launched 6 months prior to the SZ8 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the S31 grades against the SZ8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Panasonic SZ8

 S31 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon S31

 SZ8 S31 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Panasonic SZ8

 S31 SZ8 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2014Same generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon S31 enjoys physical measurements 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 SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S31 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the S31 vs the SZ8.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S31 and SZ8 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The photograph here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the S31 and SZ8.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S31 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic SZ8 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
19
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S31
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
52
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
24
environment proofing
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no phase detect auto focus
33
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography details
59
environment proofing
has built in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S31
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
30
very good maximum aperture (f)
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
41
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging features
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging features
24
very good maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not good (29mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
32
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
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Nikon S31 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix S31Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S31 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-06-21 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
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 area 18.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Focal length multiplier 7.3 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.20 m
Flash settings - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
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 720 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 images 200 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $90 $275