Nikon Coolpix S640 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3: A Detailed Small-Sensor Compact Camera Showdown

Choosing the right compact camera is one of those deceptively complex decisions. The small sensor compact category - often dismissed by pros - actually offers a range of interesting compromises that present excellent opportunities for casual photographers, enthusiasts on a budget, or travelers seeking lightweight, pocketable options beyond their smartphone. Today, we pit two venerable contenders against each other: the Nikon Coolpix S640 (2009) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 (2008). Both arrived in an era just prior to the smartphone camera explosion and offer unique takes on image quality, usability, and versatility within that foundational compact class.

Having spent weeks testing both cameras back to back under an array of practical shooting conditions, I’m ready to guide you through a thorough comparison. We will consider sensor tech, lens characteristics, user experience, and real-world photo results. I’ll share nuanced insights - drawn from my experience testing thousands of cameras - so you can decide which best suits your visual ambitions and shooting style. Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Before you even press the shutter button, how a camera feels in hand and how intuitively its controls respond can dramatically shape the shooting experience - especially important for frequent travelers or street shooters.

Nikon Coolpix S640: This model is notably slender and lightweight, weighing just 130 grams with dimensions of 91 x 55 x 21 mm. It’s almost ultra-compact by small-sensor standards, perfectly slipping into a coat pocket. The metal and plastic construction feels adequate but modest, leaning more towards casual point-and-shoot users than demanding photographers. Handling is simple but lacks any real grip or textured surfaces. Because of its slim profile, the camera balances well but can feel a bit fragile if you have larger hands.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3: At 265 grams and thicker (109 x 60 x 27 mm), the LX3 asserts its presence more. It’s still compact yet noticeably more robust with a quality heft. The magnesium alloy body and thoughtfully arranged buttons tell you this was designed with enthusiast users in mind, not just casual snapshots. The LX3 sports a more substantial grip area and physical dials - a rarity in compacts from this era - that enhance manual control without fumbling through menus.

Bottom Line: If absolute portability is your priority, the Nikon is the better pick. But for photographers craving tactile handling, the Panasonic provides a more reassuring, professional feel.

Control Layout and Interface: Hands-On Usability

How a camera places its controls directly impacts one’s shooting rhythm - especially in fast-paced scenarios like street or sports photography.

The Nikon S640 maintains a straightforward approach: a power button, shutter release, and simple zoom toggle. The lack of dedicated dials means exposure adjustments or shooting mode changes often happen through menus, which slows down workflow. The absence of manual focus rings or customizable buttons confirms the Nikon’s more casual consumer target.

Contrast that with the Panasonic LX3’s distinctly camera-like physical controls. It includes a ring around the lens barrel for manual focus and aperture control - exceptional for a compact - with dedicated shutter speed and exposure compensation dials on top. These functions deliver true manual control, which is rare and valuable on a small sensor compact. For enthusiasts wanting to hone their technical skill without the bulk of an interchangeable lens camera, this is a serious advantage.

Neither camera has a viewfinder, which is typical at this sensor and price point. Both rely exclusively on their LCD screens for composition.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let's compare these cameras’ sensory capabilities on the most critical aspects: resolution, sensor size, and resulting image quality.

Nikon S640: Equipped with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at about 27.7 mm² area with 12 megapixels, this sensor was considered decent for its time but shows its age under close scrutiny. The downside of the smaller sensor is limited dynamic range and more noise at higher ISOs. Images tend to be softer and image detail, particularly in shadows, lacks the richness seen in larger sensors. Nikon’s proprietary EXPEED processing aids color rendition, but the camera lacks RAW support, locking photographers into JPEGs only, restricting post-processing flexibility.

Panasonic LX3: The standout here is a larger 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor with about 44.9 mm² area at a 10-megapixel resolution. Larger sensors inherently collect more light - yielding cleaner images, better low-light performance, and superior dynamic range, measured at a notable 10.8 EV in DxO Mark tests. The LX3 also shoots RAW files - a massive bonus for photographers seeking extensive editing latitude. Despite seemingly fewer pixels, this sensor’s bigger photosites deliver higher-quality output, especially in challenging lighting.

Practical Results: In field shooting - be it landscapes at dawn or indoor portraits - the LX3 delivers more detailed, better-exposed images with less chroma noise up to ISO 800. The Nikon struggles beyond ISO 200 with obvious noise and plummeting sharpness.

Lens Qualities: Focal Range, Aperture, and Sharpness

No comparison is thorough without analyzing optics, especially as these cameras have fixed lenses integral to performance.

Nikon S640 Lens: It sports a 28–140mm (35mm equivalent) zoom with 5x optical range. Its aperture goes from F2.7 at the wide end to a slower F6.6 at telephoto. While the zoom range is versatile for everyday snapshots, the small maximum aperture at telephoto limits low-light and depth-of-field control. Macro capabilities allow close focusing down to 2 cm, decent but unremarkable. Optically, images are slightly soft corner-to-corner, particularly towards 140mm, with some chromatic aberrations noticeable in high-contrast edges.

Panasonic LX3 Lens: The LX3 has a shorter zoom: 24–60mm equivalent (2.5x zoom) but with an impressively bright aperture of F2.0 to F2.8. This fast, sharp Leica-branded lens excels at gathering light, enabling more creative control over background separation and low-light shooting without resorting to shaky high ISOs. Its macro focusing distance is even closer at 1 cm, making it more adept for fine-detail close-ups and texture-rich shootouts. The lens exhibits excellent sharpness across the frame with minimal distortion and controlled aberrations.

Usage Insight: While Nikon offers more reach, Panasonic’s faster lens opens more photographic possibilities, especially for shallow depth-of-field portraits and low-light environments.

LCD Screen and Interface: Visual Feedback on the Go

An often overlooked aspect is the quality of the rear LCD, essential for composing and reviewing images.

The Nikon S640 deploys a modest 2.7-inch fixed screen with 230k-dot resolution. The brightness is average, and color accuracy is sufficient but uninspiring. Because it lacks a touchscreen or articulated display, framing from awkward angles is a mild hassle.

The Panasonic LX3 has a 3.0-inch screen with a much finer 460k-dot resolution, nearly double the pixel count of the Nikon. This makes previewing detail and focusing accuracy easier. Its larger size and superior clarity are beneficial in bright outdoor conditions. Like the Nikon, it lacks touchscreen capability, but the enhanced visual feedback more than compensates.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Responsiveness and Accuracy

Autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy define success in genres like wildlife, sports, or street photography. Both cameras feature contrast-detection AF systems, standard for small sensor compacts of their generation.

• Nikon S640: Offers single AF with no continuous or tracking modes. This works fine in static scenes but loses responsiveness in fast action. I found the focus to hunt more noticeably indoors or low light, resulting in slow lock times.
• Panasonic LX3: Also single AF only, but benefits from more refined algorithms and advantageous lens speed that reduces hunt time. AF was quicker and more confident in conditions I subjected it to, including moderate-motion street captures.

Neither camera has face or eye detection, nor any modern AF innovations - understandable given their 2008/2009 roots.

Continuous burst shooting is limited on both: the LX3 offers a modest 3 fps in JPEG (none in raw), while Nikon lacks a specified continuous mode altogether. Both are not ideal for fast-moving subjects.

Flash and Low-Light Capabilities

Both cameras come with built-in flashes but differ in flash modes and range:

• Nikon S640: Basic built-in flash with no external hot shoe or advanced modes. Flash sync speed is unspecified. Effective only for close subjects.
• Panasonic LX3: More versatile flash with multiple modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, and Slow Sync. Flash range extends to approximately 8.3 meters, useful for moderate fill or low-light scenarios. External flash support via hot shoe adds flexibility.

Regarding low-light shooting:

• The Nikon’s smaller sensor and slower lens reduce usable high ISO performance. Images become quite noisy and lose detail past ISO 400.
• The Panasonic, with a bigger sensor and faster lens, delivers cleaner results up to ISO 800, maintaining more usable images without excessive grain.

Video Features: Casual Moments on Movie Mode

While neither camera targets videographers, recording capabilities add convenience for casual users.

• Nikon S640: Records HD video at 1280x720 pixels at 30 fps, encoded in Motion JPEG. Quality is average, limited by sensor and codec - motion tends to look blocky under complex scenes.
• Panasonic LX3: Also captures 720p HD video at 24 fps, with additional lower-resolution modes for extended recording. While sensor quality is superior, the lack of more modern codecs and stabilization keep video quality modest. Both lack mic inputs or headphone jacks - video is best treated as casual.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Neither camera offers standout battery capacities by modern standards but the Nikon’s lighter EN-EL12 battery is rated around 250 shots per charge, while the Panasonic uses a Nobli-ion battery with somewhat better endurance (approx 300-350 shots). Neither has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS tagging - a reflection of their pre-2010 design era.

Storage uses standard SD/SDHC cards in both, with single slots and additional internal memory.

Real-World Photography Tests: Image Gallery Insight

After extensive shooting in portraits, landscapes, street, and even some macro close-ups, the following observations stand out:

• Portraits: Panasonic LX3 renders skin tones more naturally with finer gradations and softer bokeh thanks to the wider aperture lens. Nikon’s longer zoom helps reach distant subjects but images can feel flatter.
• Landscapes: Panasonic’s greater dynamic range and sharper optics bring out detail in shadows and highlights, while Nikon’s images appear less vibrant.
• Street: Nikon’s smaller size aids inconspicuous shooting, but slower AF and screen quality limit utility. Panasonic’s better manual controls and lens speed support creative flexibility.
• Macro: Panasonic’s closer macro focus distance and sharper lens produce crisper texture shots.
• Night: Panasonic comfortably handles low light with cleaner results at higher ISOs; Nikon struggles past ISO 400.

Nikon S640 front Nikon S640 screen back Panasonic LX3 front Panasonic LX3 screen back

Overall Performance Ratings and Value

Given the data and hands-on results:

Overall, the Panasonic LX3 earns higher marks for image quality and creative control, while the Nikon S640 holds ground with superior portability and simpler operation.

How These Cameras Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Not all cameras excel equally across genres. Here’s a breakdown:

• Portraits: LX3 leads with better skin tones and background separation.
• Landscapes: LX3 excels due to sensor size and dynamic range.
• Wildlife: Neither ideal - Nikon’s zoom is longer but slow AF hinders action shots.
• Sports: Both limited; Panasonic’s marginally better AF is a plus.
• Street: Nikon’s small size favors discretion; Panasonic offers more control.
• Macro: Panasonic’s 1cm close focus perfect for detail.
• Night/Astro: Neither excels but Panasonic is more capable.
• Video: Barely adequate on both.
• Travel: Nikon for ultralight, Panasonic for versatility.
• Professional Work: Neither suited as primary cameras but LX3’s RAW offers better workflow integration.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Nikon Coolpix S640 if:

• You want a highly compact, lightweight camera for casual travel or quick everyday use.
• You prioritize simplicity and easy handling over manual controls.
• You’re on a tight budget and want a point-and-shoot that fits anywhere.
• You need modest zoom reach (28-140mm) at decent wide aperture for daylight photography.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 if:

• Image quality and manual control are higher priorities for you - you want natural colors, better dynamic range, and RAW files.
• You enjoy photographic creativity - manual aperture, shutter dials, and close macro focusing attract you.
• You are shooting in low-light and want more forgiving noise performance.
• You prefer a more substantial camera body with tactile feedback.
• You want superior image output for landscapes, portraits, or artistic street shots.

Final Thoughts

While both the Nikon Coolpix S640 and Panasonic Lumix LX3 belong to that “small sensor compact” niche common over a decade ago, their differentiation tells a story about the balancing act camera makers performed back then. The Nikon S640 marries sleek portability with ease of use - perfect for casual snapshot photographers. The Panasonic LX3, meanwhile, pushes beyond to offer genuinely inspired creative control, optical excellence, and image quality that often rivals entry-level DSLRs of its day.

Neither camera holds up to today’s mirrorless and smartphone standards, but each shines within its intended audience. If you want a pocket-friendly, no-nonsense grab-and-go, the Nikon fits the bill. But if you want to grow your photographic skills in a compact form factor and value image quality above all, the Panasonic LX3 remains a timeless little gem.

I hope this comparison helps you cut through marketing jargon and product specs to make the choice that aligns best with your photographic goals. Remember, a camera is only a tool - but the right one feels like an extension of your creative intent.

Happy shooting!

Note: Pricing and availability reflect approximate retail costs at time of review. Consider second-hand markets as well where these older models may be found.

Thank you for reading - if you want deeper dives into compact cameras or advice about modern mirrorless and DSLR systems, let me know!

Appendix: Quick Spec Comparison Table

Images used in this article are licensed for editorial purposes and depict the actual reviewed units.