Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42
94 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38


95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23
Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-300mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 150g - 95 x 58 x 27mm
- Revealed August 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Push to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Revealed April 2009

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview
Following is a extended analysis of the Nikon S6400 and Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the S6400 (16MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the S6400 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") come with totally different sensor measurements.

The S6400 was brought out 3 years after the FS42 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the S6400 grades against the FS42 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S6400 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon S6400 Gallery and Panasonic FS42 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S6400 over the Panasonic FS42
S6400 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | April 2009 | More modern by 41 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon S6400
FS42 | S6400 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S6400 and Panasonic FS42
S6400 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon S6400 has outside measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).
Examine the Nikon S6400 and Panasonic FS42 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the S6400 compared to the FS42.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S6400 and FS42 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S6400 and FS42.
As you can tell, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S6400 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Nikon S6400 will provide you with more detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger S6400 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6400 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S6400 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S6400 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Revealed | 2012-08-22 | 2009-04-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1000 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 10cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.5" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 6.30 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 150 gr (0.33 lbs) | 132 gr (0.29 lbs) |
Dimensions | 95 x 58 x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 life | 160 photos | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL19 | - |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $500 | $580 |