• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 33.00mm - 132.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 87.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-LS85 advantages over Nikon S31

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.5 inch vs 1/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.32 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    132 mm vs 87 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S31 advantages over Panasonic DMC-LS85

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • More pixels
    10.1 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    29 mm vs 33 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-S730

Panasonic DMC-LS85
Sony DSC-S730
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS85 vs Sony DSC-S730

Nikon S31
Sony DSC-S730
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Newer
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S31 vs Sony DSC-S730

Compared to Pentax E80

Panasonic DMC-LS85
Pentax E80
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS85 vs Pentax E80

Nikon S31
Pentax E80
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Wider angle lens
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S31 vs Pentax E80

Compared to Pentax E90

Panasonic DMC-LS85
Pentax E90
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS85 vs Pentax E90

Nikon S31
Pentax E90
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Wider angle lens
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S31 vs Pentax E90

Compared to Nikon S30

Panasonic DMC-LS85
Nikon S30
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS85 vs Nikon S30

Nikon S31
Nikon S30
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S31 vs Nikon S30

Compared to Nikon S33

Panasonic DMC-LS85
Nikon S33
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Newer

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS85 vs Nikon S33

Nikon S31
Nikon S33
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon S31 vs Nikon S33

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