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

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Differences

Nikon S2 advantages over Panasonic GX9

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 46 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX9 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.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 74 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX9

Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.

  • Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.

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
Panasonic GX9
Pentax Q7
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon S2
Samsung NX Mini
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic GX9
Samsung NX Mini
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Panasonic GX9
Pentax Q-S1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon S2
Panasonic GX85
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX9
Panasonic GX85
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Nikon S2
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight
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