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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 front
Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 Key Specs

Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Panasonic ZS10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS10, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and ZS10 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L20 was unveiled 24 months before the ZS10 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the L20 scores versus the ZS10 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic ZS10

 L20 ZS10 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Nikon L20

 ZS10 L20 
RevealedJanuary 2011February 2009More recent by 24 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS10

 L20 ZS10 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 has exterior measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS10 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS10 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the L20 vs the ZS10.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the L20 and ZS10 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and ZS10.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS10 to resolve more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The older L20 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS10 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS10 Street photography features
54
lighter than competition (135 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than others (219g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS10 Sports photography factors
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS10 as a Travel photography camera
55
lighter than competition (135g)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
lighter than others (219g)
comes with touch focus
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS10 Landscape photography highlights
27
screen size is decent (3")
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS10 Vlogging highlights
24
lighter than competition (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (219 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic port
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS10
 Nikon Coolpix L20Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-03 2011-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 gr (0.30 pounds) 219 gr (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 - 260 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $120 $350