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Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
29
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S3600 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Nikon S3600
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 58 x 20mm
  • Released January 2014
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Nikon S3600 and Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the S3600 (20MP) and S3 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S3600 was launched 3 years after the S3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the S3600 matches up against the S3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3600 over the Panasonic S3

 S3600 S3 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2011More modern by 37 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon S3600

 S3 S3600 

Common features in the Nikon S3600 and Panasonic S3

 S3600 S3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S3600 features outer measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S3600 and Panasonic S3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S3600 against the S3.

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3600 and S3 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the S3600 and S3.

As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon S3600 to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern S3600 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3600 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
37
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S3600
Street photography with Panasonic S3
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3600 Sports photography features
Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3600 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
68
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3600 Landscape photography information
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography information
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
37
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S3600
Vlogging with Panasonic S3
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
31
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Nikon S3600 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3600 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Coolpix S3600Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S3600 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-01-07 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5152 x 3864 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.7-6.6 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280x720p (30fps) , 1280x720 (25p), 640x480 (30fps ) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 125 gr (0.28 pounds) 117 gr (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" 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 230 shots 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $200 $110