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Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Old Model is Nikon L110
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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Panasonic ZS20

 L120 ZS20 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon L120

 ZS20 L120 
RevealedApril 2012February 2011More 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

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

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography information
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography features
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L120
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
60
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
offers touch focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery power (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
27
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
34
rather wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Nikon L120 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix L120Panasonic 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