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Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 Key Specs

Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2011
Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Released January 2011
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Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Nikon S3100 versus Panasonic FP5, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S3100 (14MP) and the FP5 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S3100 was announced 2 months after the FP5 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the S3100 matches up against the FP5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Panasonic FP5

 S3100 FP5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Nikon S3100

 FP5 S3100 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S3100 and Panasonic FP5

 S3100 FP5 
ReleasedFebruary 2011January 2011Similar generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S3100 has got physical dimensions of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FP5 has dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S3100 versus Panasonic FP5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the S3100 compared to the FP5.

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S3100 and FP5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The image here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S3100 and FP5.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you might want to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S3100
Portrait photography with Panasonic FP5
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
33
decent MP (14MP)
provides face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3100 Street photography features
Panasonic FP5 Street photography features
48
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3100 Sports photography details
Panasonic FP5 Sports photography details
32
MP count good (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery pack (260 shots)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3100 Travel photography information
Panasonic FP5 Travel photography information
65
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
65
great battery pack (260 per charge)
includes touch focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S3100
Landscape photography with Panasonic FP5
33
quite wide (26mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
40
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
great battery pack (260 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3100 Vlogging information
Panasonic FP5 Vlogging information
28
quite wide (26mm)
supports face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
30
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Nikon S3100 vs Panasonic FP5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3100 and Panasonic FP5
 Nikon Coolpix S3100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-02-09 2011-01-05
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.50 m 4.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 118 grams (0.26 pounds) 141 grams (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 220 pictures 260 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $139 $199