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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon S9300
Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX77
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic FX78, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the FX78 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was released 6 months later than the FX78 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the S9100 scores versus the FX78 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Panasonic FX78

 S9100 FX78 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Nikon S9100

 FX78 S9100 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic FX78

 S9100 FX78 
RevealedJuly 2011January 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S9100 offers exterior measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Panasonic FX78 has specifications of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic FX78 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the S9100 against the FX78.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S9100 and FX78 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S9100 and FX78.

As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you will want to take the production date of the cameras into account.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9100
Portrait photography with Panasonic FX78
33
focusing manually
offers face detect autofocus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 Street photography information
Panasonic FX78 Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (214g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FX78 Sports photography highlights
36
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (270 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
29
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 Travel photography info
Panasonic FX78 Travel photography info
61
lighter than others in class (214g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (270 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
56
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9100
Landscape photography with Panasonic FX78
40
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (270 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
36
fairly wide (24mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Panasonic FX78
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FX77
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-19 2011-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine FHD
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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3.5 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1400 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 142 gr (0.31 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 270 shots 200 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $329 $210