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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
39
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S6100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Nikon S6100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
  • 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
  • Announced February 2011
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Following is a thorough overview of the Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S6100 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S6100 was manufactured 11 months prior to the S2 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the S6100 grades against the S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Panasonic S2

 S6100 S2 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Nikon S6100

 S2 S6100 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2011More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Nikon S6100 and Panasonic S2

 S6100 S2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon S6100 features physical dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the S6100 compared to the S2.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S6100 and S2 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through technical specs. The picture here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S6100 and S2.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon S6100 to produce more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged S6100 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6100 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
39
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
features face detection focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon S6100 Street photography advice
Panasonic S2 Street photography advice
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6100 Sports photography info
Panasonic S2 Sports photography info
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (280 shots)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6100 Travel photography features
Panasonic S2 Travel photography features
64
supports focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (210 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
70
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography highlights
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery pack (210 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
41
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
32
relatively wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
32
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (112 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6100 and Panasonic S2
 Nikon Coolpix S6100Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S6100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-09 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-196mm (7.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.7-5.6 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT touchscreen LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.50 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 175g (0.39 lbs) 112g (0.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 210 photographs 280 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $195 $109