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Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon L110
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Photography Glossary

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon L120 and Panasonic ZR1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is very well matched and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L120 was introduced 19 months after the ZR1 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the L120 matches up versus the ZR1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Panasonic ZR1

 L120 ZR1 
IntroducedFebruary 2011July 2009More modern by 19 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Nikon L120

 ZR1 L120 

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Panasonic ZR1

 L120 ZR1 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon L120 enjoys outer dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L120 and Panasonic ZR1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the L120 versus the ZR1.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L120 and ZR1 is 75 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The picture here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the L120 and ZR1.

Plainly, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon L120 to give you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The fresher L120 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L120
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
33
good resolution (14MP)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
20
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography info
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography information
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography advice
60
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging factors
27
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
28
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
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Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Panasonic ZR1
 Nikon Coolpix L120Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-02-09 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Venus Engine V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 431 grams (0.95 pounds) 158 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs -
Battery form AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $300 $280