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Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
56
Overall
47
Nikon 1 S1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Refreshed by Nikon 1 S2
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
Photography Glossary

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the 1 S1 (10MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the 1 S1 (1") and ZS20 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The 1 S1 was launched 15 months after the ZS20 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Nikon 1 S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1 S1 scores against the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Panasonic ZS20

 1 S1 ZS20 
LaunchedJune 2013April 2012Newer by 15 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon 1 S1

 ZS20 1 S1 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Panasonic ZS20

 1 S1 ZS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 S1 has outer measurements of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the 1 S1 against the ZS20.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 1 S1 and ZS20 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading technical specs. The pic here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 S1 and ZS20.

As you can tell, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 S1 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS20 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent 1 S1 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
30
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
69
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (197 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
49
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (1")
comes with tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
low battery power (220 CIPA)
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
61
lighter than competition in class (197g)
built-in flash
low battery power (220 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
has touch focus
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
56
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
low battery power (220 CIPA)
42
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (197 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing mic socket
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon 1 S1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon 1 S1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-06-21 2012-04-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 135 23
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 13 -
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 15.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/60s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197g (0.43 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 397 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $231 $349