Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


92 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Revealed February 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Announced June 2012
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
- Replacement is Panasonic ZS20

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS15, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L20 was launched 4 years before the ZS15 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the L20 grades vs the ZS15 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L20 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon L20 Gallery and Panasonic ZS15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic ZS15
L20 | ZS15 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon L20
ZS15 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 41 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS15
L20 | ZS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 features exterior measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS15 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the L20 compared to the ZS15.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L20 and ZS15 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at technical specs. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and ZS15.
As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZS15 to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ25 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2009-02-03 | 2012-06-29 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 15 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 6.40 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135g (0.30 lb) | 208g (0.46 lb) |
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 Overall 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 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $120 | $279 |