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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 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 SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Photography Glossary

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon S640 and Panasonic SZ8, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the S640 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S640 was announced 5 years prior to the SZ8 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S640 matches up vs the SZ8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Panasonic SZ8

 S640 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon S640

 SZ8 S640 
RevealedJanuary 2014August 2009Fresher by 53 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S640 and Panasonic SZ8

 S640 SZ8 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S640 offers outside measurements 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 SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S640 and Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the S640 vs the SZ8.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S640 and SZ8 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The visual below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S640 and SZ8.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ8 to deliver greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older S640 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S640
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
good megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S640 Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography highlights
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S640 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
34
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S640
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
62
lighter than competitors (130g)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (200 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S640 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
32
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
42
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S640 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S640 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix S640Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S640 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-04 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 2cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.20 m
Flash options - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 130g (0.29 lbs) 159g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 - 200 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $225 $275