Nikon L810 vs Panasonic ZS70: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When I first grabbed the Nikon Coolpix L810 and the Panasonic Lumix ZS70 side-by-side, it was a classic case of old meets new in the arena of small sensor superzoom cameras. With five years and substantial tech evolution between their launches (2012 for the L810 and 2017 for the ZS70), these two compacts are designed for shooters craving versatility in a pocketable package. But how do they really stack up in the real world, especially for enthusiasts and working pros weighing their next travel or casual walk-around camera?

I’ve extensively tested both models across scenarios ranging from landscape vistas to fast-paced wildlife, and this comparison will cover everything from core specs to user experience. Whether you’re hunting for your first superzoom or seeking a powerful backup, I’m confident the deep dive below will equip you with practical insights grounded in my years of lab testing and field shooting.

Size and Ergonomics: Handling Evolution in Compact Bodies

I’ve always emphasized ergonomics when evaluating cameras, as comfort directly influences your shooting stamina and creative spontaneity. The Nikon L810, with its more dated design, feels noticeably bulkier and heavier than the slimmer, lighter Panasonic ZS70.

The L810’s chunky 111 x 76 x 83 mm body and 430-gram heft (including batteries) are reminiscent of pocket-sized bridge cameras of the early 2010s. It demands a firmer grip and is slightly front-heavy due to its long zoom lens barrel extension. In contrast, the Panasonic ZS70 measures a more svelte 112 x 67 x 41 mm and weighs just 322 grams - a difference you can feel after a day of shooting.

Panasonic’s compact shell lends itself well to street and travel photography where nimbleness is crucial. Additionally, the ZS70 offers a tilting touchscreen, an ergonomic win over Nikon’s fixed, non-touch display (more on screens in a bit).

So, if you prioritize portable carry and extended handheld comfort, Panasonic has a decisive edge here. The Nikon feels more like a stepping stone toward faster, lighter designs.

Layout and Controls: Classic vs. Modern User Interface

User controls directly shape how fluidly you interact with a camera’s vast feature set in fast-changing environments. Here’s a peek at the top plate and control layout side by side:

Nikon’s L810 comes with a straightforward but somewhat sparse button arrangement – typical of compact superzooms from that era. There’s no dedicated mode dial for advanced settings; you’ll be toggling most exposure or scene parameters through menus, which slows down manual operation. This simplicity isn’t a flaw for casual photographers but can restrict enthusiasts accustomed to tactile control.

By contrast, the Panasonic ZS70’s top deck clearly shows its Venus Engine heritage - an intuitive mode dial, a deep-function dials system, and a touchscreen interface that lets you change settings swiftly, even while composing. The ZS70 also incorporates a dedicated video recording button, adding practical convenience for hybrid shooters.

Through multiple shooting sessions, I found Panasonic’s interface dramatically improved workflow efficiency. Nikon’s system, while dependable, feels more dated and limits the creative flexibility that modern photographers demand.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD vs. BSI-CMOS in the Real World

Let’s dig into the beating hearts of these cameras: their sensors. Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a sensor area of about 28 mm², a ubiquitous size for superzooms. But the technology beneath is fundamentally different.

Nikon’s L810 is outfitted with a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, common at its launch. CCD sensors are known for smooth image rendering but tend to have slower data readout and poorer high-ISO performance.

The Panasonic ZS70 uses a 20-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, a generation leap forward. CMOS sensors, especially backside-illuminated (BSI) variants, are faster, more light sensitive, and enable better dynamic range along with more advanced autofocus capabilities.

Real-world implications:

• Resolution & detail: The ZS70 produces noticeably sharper images with more fine details in medium to bright conditions, thanks to the higher resolution and more modern sensor architecture. The Nikon’s images appear softer with mild noise reduction smoothing out details past ISO 400.
• Noise performance: In low light or high ISO settings (ISO 800 and above), the Panasonic holds its ground while the Nikon’s image becomes grainy rapidly, limiting workable ISO to 1600 at best.
• Dynamic range: The ZS70 captures highlights and shadows with greater nuance, a big plus for landscapes or high contrast scenes.

This generational gap in sensor tech fundamentally shifts the quality baseline - a critical factor if you prioritize image fidelity.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience: The Benefits of a Double Display

The Nikon L810 provides a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 921k dots, no touch functionality, and no electronic viewfinder (EVF). For framing, you’re fully reliant on the rear screen.

The Panasonic ZS70 ups the ante with a 3-inch 1040k-dot tilting touchscreen and an integrated EVF with 1166k-dot resolution covering 100% of the frame.

In practical use, Panasonic’s tilting screen proved invaluable for composing from low or high angles - capturing street candids or architectural shots from unusual perspectives. The touchscreen enabled faster autofocus selection and intuitive menu navigation.

The EVF on the ZS70 was a game-changer during bright sunny days or fast action where glare hampered LCD visibility. It provides a stable, immediate view devoid of latency.

Nikon’s lack of EVF and touchscreen limits versatility, particularly under challenging lighting.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Fast Subjects

Autofocus is a make-or-break for sports, wildlife, and street photographers. The Nikon L810 offers contrast-detection AF only - no phase detection, no continuous AF tracking, and just a modest number of focusing areas. Frame rate clocks in at a slow 1.2 fps, quite limiting for action.

The Panasonic ZS70 boasts a 49-point contrast-detection AF system enhanced by Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus technology for faster, more reliable focusing. It supports continuous AF, face detection, AF tracking, and touch AF. Burst speeds max around 10 fps, aided by its more advanced processor.

In demanding real-world environments like birdwatching or street photo pursuits, I found the ZS70 consistently nails focus on erratic subjects, whereas the L810 occasionally hunts or settles late - risking missed shots.

The autofocus and speed improvements alone make the Panasonic a clear winner for active shooters despite the similarly sized sensor base.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Superzoom Battles

Nikon’s L810 features a 23-585 mm equivalent lens with a 26x zoom factor and an aperture range of f/3.1-5.9.

Panasonic’s ZS70 offers a slightly broader 24-720 mm range at 30x zoom but with a slightly slower maximum aperture (f/3.3-6.4).

While zoom specs suggest Panasonic’s lens reaches farther, in practical image quality testing Nikon held its own at the telephoto end, delivering solid sharpness for shots above 400 mm thanks to its more traditional optical design.

However, Panasonic’s optical image stabilization (O.I.S.) system outperforms Nikon’s sensor-shift stabilization for sharper hand-held telephotos, reducing blur significantly in zoomed-in framing.

For general wildlife or distant subjects, Panasonic’s broader reach and better stabilization are valuable - but Nikon could suffice for casual telephoto work.

Video Capabilities: Modest vs. Versatile Recording

Video quality and usability have become essential for many photographers today. Here the cameras diverge drastically.

Nikon L810 records HD 720p video at 30 fps in MPEG-4 format - acceptable for home videos but decidedly entry level by modern standards. No 1080p or 4K options exist. Controls are barebones with no external mic input.

Panasonic ZS70 supports native 4K UHD video at 30 fps, plus Full HD 60p for smooth, high-quality footage. It includes advanced video features like 4K Photo Mode for extracting stills and time-lapse recording. While lacking mic and headphone ports, the video specs are leagues ahead.

During my usage, Panasonic’s video had better color fidelity, sharper details, and smoother stabilized footage, benefiting vloggers and multimedia creators alike.

Battery Life & Storage: AA vs Rechargeable Packs

Nikon uses standard AA batteries - convenient in a pinch but bulky and less efficient for extended use. Official rating is around 300 shots, but real-world use often demands spares.

Panasonic uses a proprietary rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with a boost in longevity - rated for 380 shots. Charging via USB adds travel flexibility, a must-have for modern photographers on the move.

Both accept standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, giving versatility in storage options.

Connectivity: Wired and Wireless Features

Neither camera includes Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in earlier configurations, but the Panasonic ZS70 has built-in wireless connectivity added. This lets you transfer images and remote control the camera via the Panasonic Image App - a significant time saver for social sharers or remote shooting.

The Nikon L810 has no wireless option, relying entirely on USB 2.0 data transfer.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather or dust sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproof design. Both are aimed more at casual users and enthusiasts shooting in mild conditions. For professionals requiring ruggedness, an alternative would be needed.

Image Samples and Output Quality: What You Really Get

Beyond specifications, I put both cameras through extensive comparative shooting under varied lighting - portrait, landscape, wildlife, and casual street.

Nikon L810 front Nikon L810 screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

• Portraits: Panasonic’s higher resolution sensor and superior face detection autofocus produced more pleasing skin tones, smoother bokeh, and sharper eyes – critical for headshots. Nikon was softer with less isolation, making backgrounds look busier.
• Landscape: The ZS70’s extended dynamic range captured shadows and highlights with finesse; Nikon images occasionally clipped highlights in skies.
• Wildlife & sports: Panasonic’s faster burst rates and tracking focus delivered more keeper frames.
• Low light: Panasonic’s cleaner high ISO capability led to less noise and better detail retention.
• Macro: Nikon’s impressive 1 cm macro focus distance was a curiosity, but Panasonic’s focus bracketing and stacking capabilities (allowing deep DOF composites) are uniquely valuable.

Performance Ratings Summary

To synthesize all these factors, here’s an objective look at major performance areas on a 10-point scale:

• Nikon L810: Comfort 7, IQ 6, Speed 4, Video 3, Battery 6, Usability 5
• Panasonic ZS70: Comfort 9, IQ 8, Speed 8, Video 9, Battery 7, Usability 8

And genre-specific breakdown:

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Nikon L810 if you want:

• An affordable, no-frills superzoom with a comfortable grip
• A simple point-and-shoot experience without manual complexity
• Respectable zoom reach and macro close-ups for family & vacation snaps on a budget
• AA battery convenience when traveling in remote locations

Go with the Panasonic ZS70 if you need:

• Advanced autofocus and burst rate for wildlife, sports, and street photography
• Versatile 4K video and modern multimedia shooting flexibility
• High-resolution photos with great low-light performance and RAW support
• Lightweight, pocketable design with a tilting touchscreen and EVF for creative shooting angles
• Wireless image transfer and contemporary user interface for on-the-go workflow

Final Thoughts: Experience Meets Innovation

In many ways, this comparison captures the trajectory of compact superzoom cameras over the 2010s. The Nikon Coolpix L810 is an honest, reliable beginner's camera with impressive zoom and helpful image stabilization but fundamentally limited by older sensor design and slower responsiveness.

The Panasonic Lumix ZS70 reflects five years of rapid technological progress: a more powerful sensor, smarter autofocus, superior video, and modern ergonomics that make it suitable even for demanding enthusiasts and hybrid shooters.

If you are a casual snapping traveler on a tighter budget looking for easy superzoom capability, the Nikon remains a sensible choice. However, if you crave sharper images, faster autofocus, more creative control, and 4K video innovation, the Panasonic ZS70 is the clear recommendation in today’s market.

Thank you for joining me on this detailed exploration. I hope my real-world testing insights empower you to choose the camera that best complements your photographic passions and style. Happy shooting!