• 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon S2 advantages over Panasonic GX850

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $550 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    74 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 9.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Nikon S2

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.85 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    347k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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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Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.

  • No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.

  • Read our Panasonic GX850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q7

Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q7

Panasonic GX850
Pentax Q7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon S2
Samsung NX Mini
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon S2 vs Samsung NX Mini

Panasonic GX850
Samsung NX Mini
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q-S1

Panasonic GX850
Pentax Q-S1
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax Q-S1

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Nikon S2
Panasonic GM5
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S2 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GM5
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Nikon S2
Panasonic GF7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S2 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GF7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

Compare Other Cameras?