Clicky

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS11
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FH3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S6500 was launched 3 years later than the FH3 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the S6500 grades versus the FH3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic FH3

 S6500 FH3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2010Fresher by 37 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Nikon S6500

 FH3 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FH3

 S6500 FH3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S6500 offers physical measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FH3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the S6500 vs the FH3.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S6500 and FH3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S6500 and FH3.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon S6500 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The younger S6500 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Portrait photography camera
43
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography info
Panasonic FH3 Street photography info
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 Sports photography features
Panasonic FH3 Sports photography features
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography info
Panasonic FH3 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
64
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography features
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
37
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 Vlogging information
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
29
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FH3
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS11
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-08 2010-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech AMOLED display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
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 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250g (0.55 lbs) 165g (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $170 $160