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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 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 FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
Photography Glossary

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon S5100 versus Panasonic FH3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was announced 8 months after the FH3 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the S5100 grades vs the FH3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Panasonic FH3

 S5100 FH3 
IntroducedAugust 2010January 2010More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Nikon S5100

 FH3 S5100 

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic FH3

 S5100 FH3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S5100 comes with exterior measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

See the Nikon S5100 versus Panasonic FH3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the S5100 and the FH3.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S5100 and FH3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S5100 and FH3.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic FH3 to render more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent S5100 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S5100
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH3
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
28
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 Sports photography info
Panasonic FH3 Sports photography info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
max fps low (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than others (132 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.7)
64
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Landscape photography camera
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
37
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging advice
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
29
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Panasonic FH3
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS11
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-08-17 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132 gr (0.29 pounds) 165 gr (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $200 $160