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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Nikon L20
(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
Panasonic ZS15
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic ZS15

 L20 ZS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon L20

 ZS15 L20 
AnnouncedJune 2012February 2009Newer by 41 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS15

 L20 ZS15 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

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

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography factors
19
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
54
lighter than others in class (135g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L20
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
55
lighter than others in class (135g)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (260 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L20
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
27
screen size is good (3 inch)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
37
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
24
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic jack
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS15
 Nikon Coolpix L20Panasonic 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