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Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

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
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic S2 and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the S2 (14MP) and S950 (10MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S2 was revealed 2 years after the S950 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the S2 matches up against the S950 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Sony S950

 S2 S950 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic S2

 S950 S2 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Sony S950

 S2 S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic S2 comes with exterior measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Sony S950 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S2 and Sony S950 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the S2 against the S950.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and S950 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading specs. The pic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and S950.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic S2 to offer more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The younger S2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography advice
Sony S950 Portrait photography advice
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
has face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
26
focusing manually
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
Sony S950 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (112 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S2
Sports photography with Sony S950
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S2
Travel photography with Sony S950
70
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than others (112 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S950 Landscape photography highlights
41
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging information
Sony S950 Vlogging information
32
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than others (112g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S2 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
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 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112 grams (0.25 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" 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 280 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $109 $130