• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FX580S advantages over Nikon S8100

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S8100 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FX580S

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 125 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
Nikon S8100
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SD960 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Canon SD960 IS
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Nikon S8100
Canon SD960 IS
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Manual focus

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Canon SD980 IS
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
Nikon S8100
Canon SD980 IS
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony DSC-H55

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Sony DSC-H55
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon S8100
Sony DSC-H55
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Ricoh CX5

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Ricoh CX5
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
Nikon S8100
Ricoh CX5
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
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