Nikon D3200 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3200 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D3200 was introduced in July 2012 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 was introduced in January 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3200 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 over Nikon D3200.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D3200 has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 has a 3.50" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7) allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7.

Nikon D3200 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 357.3 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 features a 16.1 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 20.8 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.

Nikon D3200 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4512 x 3000, 3008 x 2000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 is equipped with Venus Engine IV processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 3648 x 2736, 3456 x 3456, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 has an image stabilization.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3200 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 540 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3200 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D3200 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3200, and up to 1/1600 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7. Nikon D3200 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 can shoot continuously up to 4.4 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3200 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 has 11 focusing points. Nikon D3200 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3200 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3200 and ±2 range on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3200 and exposure bracketing on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3200 and 4.90 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7. Nikon D3200 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3200.

Nikon D3200 body has dimensions of 125 x 96 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.78 x 3.03") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 body has dimensions of 101 x 59 x 18 mm (3.98 x 2.32 x 0.71"). Nikon D3200 weighs 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 weighs 147 g (0.32 lb / 5.19 oz).

Nikon D3200

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7

125 mm

96 mm

101 mm

59 mm

96 mm

59 mm

77 mm

18 mm