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Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Nikon S32
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
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Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Nikon S32 versus Panasonic SZ5, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S32 (13MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the S32 (1/3") and SZ5 (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The S32 was launched 19 months after the SZ5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the S32 scores vs the SZ5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Panasonic SZ5

 S32 SZ5 
ReleasedFebruary 2014July 2012More modern by 19 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon S32

 SZ5 S32 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S32 and Panasonic SZ5

 S32 SZ5 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S32 comes with physical measurements of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S32 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the S32 against the SZ5.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S32 and SZ5 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The pic below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S32 and SZ5.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S32 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Panasonic SZ5 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern S32 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S32 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography advice
33
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
does not have RAW support
34
decent megapixels (14MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S32
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
60
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
does not have RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S32 Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography details
36
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
weather proofing
max fps low (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S32 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography details
58
weather proofing
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery (220 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S32 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography highlights
34
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (13MP)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S32
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone jack
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Nikon S32 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S32 and Panasonic SZ5
 Nikon Coolpix S32Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S32 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-02-07 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4160 x 3120 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-90mm (3.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.10 m 5.60 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 gr (0.39 lb) 136 gr (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $180 $195