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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 Key Specs

Nikon S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced August 2009
Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS30
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon S640 versus Panasonic FH20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S640 (12MP) and the FH20 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S640 was unveiled 5 months earlier than the FH20 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the S640 scores against the FH20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Panasonic FH20

 S640 FH20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Nikon S640

 FH20 S640 

Common features in the Nikon S640 and Panasonic FH20

 S640 FH20 
ReleasedAugust 2009January 2010Same generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon S640 provides physical dimensions of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH20 has measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Nikon S640 versus Panasonic FH20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the S640 compared to the FH20.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S640 and FH20 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S640 and FH20.

Plainly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic FH20 to show extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S640 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Portrait photography camera
20
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S640 Street photography info
Panasonic FH20 Street photography info
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S640 Sports photography info
Panasonic FH20 Sports photography info
33
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S640 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than competitors (130g)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S640 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography information
32
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
37
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S640 Vlogging features
Panasonic FH20 Vlogging features
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
28
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S640 and Panasonic FH20
 Nikon Coolpix S640Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S640 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FS30
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-04 2010-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.80 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 130g (0.29 pounds) 178g (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $225 $179