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Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S70 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 Key Specs

Nikon S70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.8) lens
  • 160g - 97 x 61 x 20mm
  • Introduced August 2009
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon S70 versus Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S70 (12MP) and the FS42 (10MP) is very similar but the S70 (1/2.3") and FS42 (1/2.5") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The S70 was manufactured 4 months later than the FS42 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the S70 grades vs the FS42 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S70 over the Panasonic FS42

 S70 FS42 
Display dimension3.5"2.5"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution288k230kSharper display (+58k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Nikon S70

 FS42 S70 

Common features in the Nikon S70 and Panasonic FS42

 S70 FS42 
AnnouncedAugust 2009April 2009Similar generation
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S70 features outside measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS42 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Nikon S70 versus Panasonic FS42 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the S70 vs the FS42.

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S70 and FS42 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading specs. The visual underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S70 and FS42.

All in all, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S70 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon S70 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively.

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S70 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S70 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS42 as a Street photography camera
55
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
max ISO too low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S70
Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
34
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S70 Travel photography info
Panasonic FS42 Travel photography info
56
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S70 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography highlights
37
relatively wide (28mm)
very good size screen (3.5")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S70 Vlogging information
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging information
30
relatively wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Nikon S70 vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S70 and Panasonic FS42
 Nikon Coolpix S70Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S70 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-08-04 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1000
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-5.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5" 2.5"
Display resolution 288k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 132g (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 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 ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $290 $580