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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon S9500
  • Refreshed by Nikon S9900
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic FH5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the FH5 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9700 was announced 3 years after the FH5 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the S9700 matches up against the FH5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Panasonic FH5

 S9700 FH5 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2011More modern by 38 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Nikon S9700

 FH5 S9700 

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Panasonic FH5

 S9700 FH5 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Nikon S9700 has got outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic FH5 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic FH5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the S9700 vs the FH5.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9700 and FH5 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The picture here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S9700 and FH5.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP and you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you might want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern S9700 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography details
37
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FH5 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 Sports photography information
Panasonic FH5 Sports photography information
53
incredible zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others in class (232g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (750mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
71
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9700 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography information
45
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
38
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 Vlogging details
Panasonic FH5 Vlogging details
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (232g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
33
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (121g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Panasonic FH5
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9700 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-02-07 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-750mm (30.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.30 m
Flash modes TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 232 grams (0.51 pounds) 121 grams (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 300 photos 260 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $350 $169