Nikon D4S vs Panasonic LX100

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D4S vs Panasonic LX100

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D4S Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D4S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D4S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D4S conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.8 megapixels
24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LX100 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic LX100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the LX100.
Compare Panasonic LX100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic LX100 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5
Compare D4S vs D5

Succeeded by the Panasonic LX100 II
Compare LX100 vs LX100 II

Compare NIKON D5 vs PANASONIC LX100 II

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Panasonic LX100

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D4S test data on DxO Mark LX100 test data on DxO Mark

3,074 vs 553 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3020 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
16.2 vs 12.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 130 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 22 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Nikon D4S

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$598 vs $5999
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
55 mm vs 90 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
393g vs 1356g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D4S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read LX100 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool
Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)
Read our Nikon D4S Review

Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life
Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak
Read our Panasonic LX100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Nikon D4S

Sony RX100 III

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D4S vs Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100

Sony RX100 III

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$748
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Canon G7X

Nikon D4S

Canon G7X

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100

Canon G7X

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon G7X

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Panasonic LX100

Canon 1DX

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5299
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S

Nikon D4

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher extended ISO

$4500
35mm

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Panasonic LX100

Nikon D4

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C

$5999
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Panasonic LX100

Canon EOS-1D C

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon EOS-1D C

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