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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7

Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
36
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 front
Portability
86
Imaging
34
Features
61
Overall
44

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 LX7
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-90mm (F1.4-2.3) lens
  • 298g - 111 x 68 x 46mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Replaced the Panasonic LX5
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX10
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic LX7, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the LX7 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the S8100 (1/2.3") and LX7 (1/1.7") offer different sensor sizing.

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The S8100 was unveiled 3 years before the LX7 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the S8100 grades versus the LX7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic LX7

 S8100 LX7 
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX7 over the Nikon S8100

 LX7 S8100 
LaunchedOctober 2012September 2010Fresher by 25 months
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic LX7

 S8100 LX7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon S8100 features physical measurements of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while the Panasonic LX7 has measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic LX7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the S8100 against the LX7.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S8100 and LX7 is 93 and 86 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The photograph here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S8100 and LX7.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S8100 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Nikon S8100 will resolve extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older S8100 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Portrait photography camera
26
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
44
you can focus manually
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
58
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Sports photography camera
38
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery (330 shots)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8100 Travel photography features
Panasonic LX7 Travel photography features
55
built-in flash
long reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
64
great battery (330 shots)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.4)
more heavy than competitors in class (298 grams)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Landscape photography camera
31
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
57
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.4)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
great battery (330 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LX7 Vlogging factors
30
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
33
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.4)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (298 grams)
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic LX7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Panasonic LX7
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S8100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-09-08 2012-10-15
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-300mm (10.0x) 24-90mm (3.8x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/1.4-2.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 8.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE 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 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180g (0.40 lbs) 298g (0.66 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 111 x 68 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 50
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 147
Other
Battery life 220 photos 330 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $299 $400