• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ100 advantages over Nikon D3200

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D3200 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.86 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Kit with 18-55mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.

  • Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.

  • Read our Nikon D3200 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Nikon D3200
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Compared to Sony HX100V

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Sony HX100V
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Sony HX100V

Nikon D3200
Sony HX100V
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Panasonic FZ47

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic FZ47
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Panasonic FZ47

Nikon D3200
Panasonic FZ47
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Panasonic FZ47

Compared to Nikon D5200

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Nikon D5200
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer exposure
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Sony A58
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Sony A58

Nikon D3200
Sony A58
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A58

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