Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42
96 Imaging
35 Features
20 Overall
29


95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 27-108mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
- 131g - 95 x 57 x 20mm
- Introduced February 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Announced April 2009

Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
Below is a comprehensive review of the Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S4000 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is relatively close but the S4000 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") come with different sensor sizes.

The S4000 was manufactured 10 months later than the FS42 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S4000 scores versus the FS42 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S4000 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon S4000 Gallery and Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S4000 over the Panasonic FS42
S4000 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2010 | ![]() | April 2009 | More recent by 10 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon S4000
FS42 | S4000 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S4000 and Panasonic FS42
S4000 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen |
Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S4000 has got external dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic FS42 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Examine the Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the S4000 and the FS42.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S4000 and FS42 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing specs. The visual below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S4000 and FS42.
All in all, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S4000 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon S4000 will result in greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent S4000 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S4000 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S4000 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix S4000 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Class | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2010-02-03 | 2009-04-17 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 1000 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 27-108mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.2-5.9 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 8cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.5" |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 6.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | 131g (0.29 lbs) | 132g (0.29 lbs) |
Dimensions | 95 x 57 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 model | EN-EL10 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $200 | $580 |