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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 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 S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic S1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the S1 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was unveiled 4 months before the S1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the S5100 scores versus the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Panasonic S1

 S5100 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Nikon S5100

 S1 S5100 

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic S1

 S5100 S1 
AnnouncedAugust 2010January 2011Similar generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon S5100 offers external measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic S1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic S1 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 change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the S5100 against the S1.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and S1 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S5100 and S1.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of files although you should really consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 Portrait photography features
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 Street photography details
Panasonic S1 Street photography details
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than competition (132g)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
62
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography highlights
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 Vlogging features
Panasonic S1 Vlogging features
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Panasonic S1
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-08-17 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lbs) 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 life - 240 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL10 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $200 $269