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Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S6400 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Nikon S6400
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 58 x 27mm
  • Announced August 2012
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
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Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the S6400 (16MP) and FS12 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S6400 was brought out 3 years later than the FS12 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S6400 scores against the FS12 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6400 over the Panasonic FS12

 S6400 FS12 
ReleasedAugust 2012April 2009Fresher by 41 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Nikon S6400

 FS12 S6400 

Common features in the Nikon S6400 and Panasonic FS12

 S6400 FS12 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S6400 provides external measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the S6400 and the FS12.

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S6400 and FS12 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S6400 and FS12.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon S6400 to give you more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern S6400 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S6400
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
35
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6400 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FS12 Street photography highlights
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than average (150 grams)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S6400
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
41
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (160 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6400 Travel photography details
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography details
63
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery life (160 shots)
more heavy than average (150g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6400 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
42
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery life (160 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6400 Vlogging details
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging details
33
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than average (150 grams)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6400 and Panasonic FS12
 Nikon Coolpix S6400Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S6400 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2012-08-22 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 150g (0.33 lbs) 129g (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 58 x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.1") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 160 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $500 $228