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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 Key Specs

Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced August 2010
Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS30
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the FH20 (14MP) is very close and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was brought out 8 months later than the FH20 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S5100 scores vs the FH20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Panasonic FH20

 S5100 FH20 
LaunchedAugust 2010January 2010Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Nikon S5100

 FH20 S5100 

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic FH20

 S5100 FH20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S5100 comes with outside measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic FH20 has dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the S5100 and the FH20.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S5100 and FH20 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S5100 and FH20.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic FH20 to render extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher S5100 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FH20 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 Street photography details
Panasonic FH20 Street photography details
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 Sports photography details
Panasonic FH20 Sports photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 Travel photography features
Panasonic FH20 Travel photography features
62
lighter than competition (132g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
64
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography highlights
32
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
37
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Vlogging camera
31
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
28
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Panasonic FH20
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-08-17 2010-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.80 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lb) 178 gr (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID EN-EL10 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $200 $179