Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20
75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs
(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
- Old Model is Nikon L110
(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
- Revealed April 2012
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS25

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview
Below, we are reviewing the Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The L120 was manufactured 14 months prior to the ZS20 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the L120 scores against the ZS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix L120 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon L120 Gallery & Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Panasonic ZS20
L120 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon L120
ZS20 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | More recent by 14 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon L120 and Panasonic ZS20
L120 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L120 has got external dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions 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 L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the L120 vs the ZS20.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L120 and ZS20 is 75 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by looking through specs. The graphic here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the L120 and ZS20.
All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of files however you should really consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older L120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 |
Other name | - | Lumix DMC-TZ30 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-02-09 | 2012-04-26 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-525mm (21.0x) | 24-480mm (20.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.8 | f/3.3-6.4 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 15 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 6.00 m | 6.40 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 431g (0.95 pounds) | 206g (0.45 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") | 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 | 330 shots | 260 shots |
Battery type | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $300 | $349 |