Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2
90 Imaging
36 Features
23 Overall
30


96 Imaging
37 Features
29 Overall
33
Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 1600
- Digital Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
- Launched February 2014
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
- Revealed January 2012

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2 Overview
Here, we are matching up the Nikon S32 and Panasonic S2, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S32 (13MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very similar but the S32 (1/3") and S2 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

The S32 was launched 2 years later than the S2 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the S32 scores against the S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S32 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon S32 Gallery & Panasonic S2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Panasonic S2
S32 | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2014 | ![]() | January 2012 | More recent by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Nikon S32
S2 | S32 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S32 and Panasonic S2
S32 | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Same display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S32 has exterior dimensions of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Panasonic S2 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).
See the Nikon S32 and Panasonic S2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S32 compared to the S2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S32 and S2 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The graphic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S32 and S2.
To sum up, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S32 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic S2 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The newer S32 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S32 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S32 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2014-02-07 | 2012-01-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 4.8 x 3.6mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 17.3mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 13 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4160 x 3120 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 30-90mm (3.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.1-6.5 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 7.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.10 m | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 175 grams (0.39 lbs) | 112 grams (0.25 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") | 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
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 | 220 shots | 280 shots |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL19 | - |
Self timer | Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $180 | $109 |