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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs

Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon S9300
  • Renewed by Nikon S9700
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
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and FH3 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was manufactured 3 years after the FH3 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the S9500 matches up versus the FH3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic FH3

 S9500 FH3 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2010Newer by 38 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kCrisper display (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Nikon S9500

 FH3 S9500 

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic FH3

 S9500 FH3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S9500 has got outer measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the S9500 and the FH3.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S9500 and FH3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The picture below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S9500 and FH3.

Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon S9500 to provide greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer S9500 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9500
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH3
31
megapixel count good (18MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FH3 Street photography highlights
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (205g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9500
Sports photography with Panasonic FH3
41
long zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FH3 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than average (205g)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (550mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography advice
46
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
37
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Vlogging camera
36
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (205g)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
29
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic FH3
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FS11
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-29 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-550mm (22.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.5 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 grams (0.45 lbs) 165 grams (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 55 x 24mm (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 life 230 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $230 $160