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Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic FH8 and Panasonic S2, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FH8 was introduced around the same time to the S2 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the FH8 scores against the S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Panasonic S2

 FH8 S2 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic FH8

 S2 FH8 

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Panasonic S2

 FH8 S2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2012Similar age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FH8 offers physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S2 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH8 and Panasonic S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the FH8 compared to the S2.

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and S2 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The photograph below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and S2.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH8 to deliver greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography features
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography features
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography info
Panasonic S2 Street photography info
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Sports photography information
Panasonic S2 Sports photography information
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
better than average battery life (280 shots)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography info
Panasonic S2 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.5)
70
better than average battery life (280 shots)
lighter than competition (112g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography highlights
43
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
41
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
better than average battery life (280 shots)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
32
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (112g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic FH8 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Panasonic S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-09 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123 grams (0.27 lb) 112 grams (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 98 x 57 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 260 photos 280 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $149 $109