• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G6 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.85 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k 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
  • 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

Nikon S2 advantages over Panasonic G6

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 6.2 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

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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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 Panasonic G6

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S2

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic G6
Panasonic G5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
Nikon S2
Panasonic G5
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax Q7

Panasonic G6
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G6
Olympus E-M1
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon S2
Olympus E-M1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Panasonic G6
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic G6
Panasonic G7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon S2
Panasonic G7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Compare Other Cameras?