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Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
33
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix L610 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Nikon L610
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-350mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 240g - 108 x 69 x 34mm
  • Released August 2012
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon L610 versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the L610 (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L610 was launched 2 years later than the ZS5 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the L610 matches up against the ZS5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L610 over the Panasonic ZS5

 L610 ZS5 
LaunchedAugust 2012June 2010Fresher by 27 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Nikon L610

 ZS5 L610 

Common features in the Nikon L610 and Panasonic ZS5

 L610 ZS5 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon L610 has got outside dimensions of 108mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L610 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the L610 vs the ZS5.

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L610 and ZS5 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the L610 and ZS5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Nikon L610 to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent L610 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L610 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography factors
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L610
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (240g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L610 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (25-350mm 14.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (120 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L610 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography info
66
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (350mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (120 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L610 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography factors
41
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery (120 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L610 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
33
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
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Nikon L610 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L610 and Panasonic ZS5
 Nikon Coolpix L610Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L610 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-08-09 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-350mm (14.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240g (0.53 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 69 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 120 photos -
Type of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $150 $300