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Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
91
Imaging
42
Features
44
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix W300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Nikon W300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 231g - 112 x 66 x 29mm
  • Launched May 2017
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Nikon W300 and Panasonic S2, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the W300 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The W300 was launched 5 years later than the S2 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the W300 grades versus the S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon W300 over the Panasonic S2

 W300 S2 
IntroducedMay 2017January 2012More recent by 66 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Nikon W300

 S2 W300 

Common features in the Nikon W300 and Panasonic S2

 W300 S2 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon W300 comes with external dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S2 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

See the Nikon W300 and Panasonic S2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the W300 and the S2.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the W300 and S2 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W300 and S2.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon W300 to show more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher W300 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon W300
Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
36
MP count good (16MP)
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon W300 Street photography information
Panasonic S2 Street photography information
62
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon W300 Sports photography features
Panasonic S2 Sports photography features
49
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery power (280 CIPA)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon W300 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Travel photography highlights
73
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery power (280 per charge)
lighter than competition (112g)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon W300 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
48
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
41
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
better than average battery power (280 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon W300 Vlogging info
Panasonic S2 Vlogging info
33
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
32
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competition (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
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Nikon W300 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon W300 and Panasonic S2
 Nikon Coolpix W300Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix W300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2017-05-31 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type - CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 3.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231g (0.51 lbs) 112g (0.25 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 280 pictures 280 pictures
Battery form Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5 and 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Onboard + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $387 $109