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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Nikon S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Launched August 2009
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the S640 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S640 was manufactured 3 years before the SZ1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the S640 scores versus the SZ1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S640 SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon S640

 SZ1 S640 
ReleasedJanuary 2012August 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S640 and Panasonic SZ1

 S640 SZ1 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S640 comes with exterior dimensions of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the S640 vs the SZ1.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S640 and SZ1 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S640 and SZ1.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ1 to provide extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged S640 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S640 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S640 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S640 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography features
34
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S640 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography factors
62
lighter than competition (130g)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
70
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S640 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
32
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
43
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S640 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging info
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
32
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S640 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix S640Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S640 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-08-04 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash settings - 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 130 grams (0.29 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 life - 250 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $225 $179