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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
48
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon S9500
  • Renewed by Nikon S9900
Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS22
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic FH7, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the FH7 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S9700 was unveiled 2 years after the FH7 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the S9700 matches up vs the FH7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Panasonic FH7

 S9700 FH7 
IntroducedFebruary 2014September 2011Newer by 30 months
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Nikon S9700

 FH7 S9700 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Panasonic FH7

 S9700 FH7 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9700 features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic FH7 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic FH7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the S9700 versus the FH7.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9700 and FH7 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The picture below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S9700 and FH7.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP and you should expect comparable quality of photos although you will want to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern S9700 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FH7 Portrait photography info
36
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9700
Street photography with Panasonic FH7
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (232g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FH7 Sports photography highlights
52
incredible zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competitors in class (232 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (750mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
has focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9700
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH7
44
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FH7 Vlogging factors
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (232 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
34
fairly wide (28mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic FH7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Panasonic FH7
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9700 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FS22
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-02-07 2011-09-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-750mm (30.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.30 m
Flash settings TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 232 gr (0.51 lb) 126 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 300 images 260 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $350 $149