• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FX90 advantages over Nikon S2

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon S2 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FX90

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.85 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon S2

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-WX5

Panasonic DMC-FX90
Sony DSC-WX5
  • $163
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon S2
Sony DSC-WX5
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSC-WX9

Panasonic DMC-FX90
Sony DSC-WX9
  • $163
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $175
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Nikon S2
Sony DSC-WX9
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $175
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung MV900F

Panasonic DMC-FX90
Samsung MV900F
  • $163
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon S2
Samsung MV900F
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax Q7

Panasonic DMC-FX90
Pentax Q7
  • $163
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Panasonic DMC-FX90
Pentax Q-S1
  • $163
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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