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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Successor is Nikon AW110
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZS20, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was launched 8 months before the ZS20 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the AW100 scores vs the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic ZS20

 AW100 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon AW100

 ZS20 AW100 
RevealedApril 2012August 2011Newer by 8 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZS20

 AW100 ZS20 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon AW100 has got external measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the AW100 versus the ZS20.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and ZS20 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions merely by going over technical specs. The image underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and ZS20.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon AW100 to offer more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged AW100 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
29
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
30
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
54
weather proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than average in class (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW100
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
33
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
67
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
68
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
has focus via touch
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery (260 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
41
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
29
relatively wide (28mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing mic jack
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-08-24 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178g (0.39 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $299 $349