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Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S4100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 Key Specs

Nikon S4100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 20mm
  • Introduced February 2011
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
Photography Glossary

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S4100 (14MP) and the FS15 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S4100 was manufactured 2 years after the FS15 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the S4100 matches up against the FS15 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S4100 over the Panasonic FS15

 S4100 FS15 
ReleasedFebruary 2011January 2009Newer by 26 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Nikon S4100

 FS15 S4100 

Common features in the Nikon S4100 and Panasonic FS15

 S4100 FS15 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S4100 features exterior measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Panasonic FS15 has dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S4100 versus the FS15.

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S4100 and FS15 is 99 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S4100 and FS15.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon S4100 to show more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more recent S4100 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S4100
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS15
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
20
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S4100 Street photography details
Panasonic FS15 Street photography details
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has touch focus
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S4100 Sports photography features
Panasonic FS15 Sports photography features
37
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (190 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S4100 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FS15 Travel photography highlights
67
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (190 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S4100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography highlights
41
reasonably wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (190 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S4100
Vlogging with Panasonic FS15
33
reasonably wide (26mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Nikon S4100 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S4100 and Panasonic FS15
 Nikon Coolpix S4100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S4100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-02-09 2009-01-16
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 29-145mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight - 136 gr (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 life 190 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $140 $180