Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20
93 Imaging
38 Features
28 Overall
34
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe 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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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix AW100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon AW100 Gallery and Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic ZS20
| AW100 | ZS20 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon AW100
| ZS20 | AW100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | April 2012 | August 2011 | Newer by 8 months | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZS20
| AW100 | ZS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | No manual focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 460k | Exact 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.
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.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and ZS20 is 93 and 92 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic 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 |