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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Introduced September 2010
Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon S8100 versus Panasonic FH6, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the FH6 (14MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S8100 was brought out 16 months before the FH6 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the S8100 grades vs the FH6 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic FH6

 S8100 FH6 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Nikon S8100

 FH6 S8100 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012September 2010More modern by 16 months

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic FH6

 S8100 FH6 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S8100 enjoys physical dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH6 has specifications of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Nikon S8100 versus Panasonic FH6 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the S8100 versus the FH6.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S8100 and FH6 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by researching technical specs. The picture underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S8100 and FH6.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic FH6 to result in more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged S8100 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S8100
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH6
26
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (119g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Sports photography camera
38
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery life (280 CIPA)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S8100
Travel photography with Panasonic FH6
55
flash built-in
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
better than average battery life (280 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (119 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S8100 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography details
32
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
41
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery life (280 shots)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 Vlogging details
Panasonic FH6 Vlogging details
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
33
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (119g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic FH6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Panasonic FH6
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S8100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-09-08 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-300mm (10.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.60 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180g (0.40 lbs) 119g (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 220 photographs 280 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $299 $129