Nikon L820 vs Panasonic ZS45

Nikon Coolpix L820 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45: A Deep Dive into Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When stepping into the compact superzoom territory, the Nikon Coolpix L820 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 emerge as two notable contenders from the mid-2010s, both offering extensive zoom ranges on 1/2.3" sensors but catering to subtly different user expectations. Having spent considerable time with both - shooting a spectrum of subjects from close macro flora to distant wildlife, and testing under varied light conditions - I’ll share a thorough comparison grounded in real-world use and technical evaluation to help you decide which fits your photographic ambitions best.

Getting Acquainted: Design, Size, and Ergonomics

The first impression is incredibly important, and these two cameras manifest distinct philosophies in size and form factor.

The Nikon L820 adopts a classic "bridge" style with an SLR-like body. Notably, it weighs about 470 grams and measures roughly 111 x 76 x 85 mm. The robust, chunky body feels substantial in hand - somewhat reminiscent of older bridge cameras in the early 2010s, emphasizing a more controlled grip for prolonged telephoto shooting. The ergonomics encourage one-handed operation with a decent thumb rest, but its bulk does make it less pocket-friendly.

Contrastingly, the Panasonic ZS45 is a compact powerhouse, much sleeker and more portable at 249 grams and 108 x 60 x 32 mm. Its slimline design edges closer to true compact convenience while still packing a 20x zoom lens (slightly shorter max zoom than Nikon’s 30x). Handling-wise, the ZS45 uses a solid grip patch but leans more towards easy carry and street photowalks where discretion and portability matter.

The size and weight divide largely dictate use cases; Nikon’s girth benefits telephoto stability, while Panasonic champions travel and casual use with less bulk.

Further, from the top view, the L820 reveals a straightforward, no-frills layout with a conventional mode dial and shutter control. The Panasonic ZS45, on the other hand, integrates exposure priority modes (shutter and aperture priority) and manual exposure options - something missing on the L820.

Panasonic’s control scheme feels more versatile for enthusiasts who want more creative control, whereas Nikon’s simplicity will appeal to users favoring point-and-shoot experience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Identical Beginnings, Divergent Results

Both cameras wield the common 1/2.3" type sensor with approximately 16 megapixels - a standard resolution for small sensor compacts aiming to squeeze maximum zoom range while keeping file sizes manageable.

Looking under the hood:

• Nikon Coolpix L820’s sensor measures about 6.16 x 4.62 mm, yielding a sensor area of approximately 28.46 mm².
• Panasonic ZS45 offers just slightly smaller sensor dimensions at 6.08 x 4.56 mm, about 27.72 mm².

These minute differences mean raw potential for dynamic range and noise performance is practically neck and neck. Both rely on CMOS technology; Nikon’s sensor is BSI-CMOS, slightly more light-efficient in theory, while Panasonic’s is standard CMOS. However, neither camera supports RAW file capture - a serious limitation for professionals or serious hobbyists who demand maximum post-processing latitude.

In daily shooting, image quality boils down to lens sharpness, image processing algorithms, and noise management. The Nikon L820’s sensor coupled with its fixed lens delivers pleasant daytime shots, with ample detail and respectable color rendition for its class. However, image noise rises noticeably at ISO 800 and above, leading to muted textures and blotchy shadows.

The Panasonic ZS45 edges forward with a bit stronger high ISO headroom, extending usable ISO up to 1600 in many situations. Its in-camera noise reduction is more aggressive but better preserves detail, especially in low light - a key boon when shooting indoors or at dusk.

Lens Performance and Zoom Versatility

Nikon’s 30x zoom (23-675 mm equivalent) is impressive in reach, especially for occasional wildlife and distant landscapes. However, it’s worth noting the lens maximum aperture drops from F3.0 wide open to F5.8 at full telephoto. This aperture taper constrains low light performance at longer zooms, often necessitating tripod support.

The Panasonic runs a 24-480 mm equivalent lens with a small advantage of 20x zoom. Despite the slightly shorter range, its more modern optical construction provides crisper images at telephoto lengths with fewer chromatic aberrations. Additionally, Panasonic integrates optical image stabilization, absent in the Nikon L820, crucial at these focal lengths to offset shake without sacrificing shutter speed.

The macro shooting capabilities diverge sharply too: the ZS45 can focus as close as 3 cm, offering more creative freedom for close-ups, while the Nikon L820 lacks dedicated macro focus range details, limiting its close subject capture potential.

I found Panasonic’s stabilized optics noticeably more confident handheld, especially beyond 300 mm focal lengths. Contrast this to Nikon’s tendency for slight image softness unless braced.

Display and Viewfinder: Navigating Your Composition

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder - a notable drawback at bright outdoor venues where LCD viewing can suffer.

Both use 3-inch displays; however, the Panasonic ZS45 employs a tilting screen with 1040k-dot resolution, surpassing Nikon’s fixed 921k-dot screen. This tilting hinge allows for high-angle or low-angle shooting, enhancing compositional options without contorting your posture.

While the Nikon’s fixed screen is adequately detailed for framing and image review, the lack of articulation imposes limitations in versatility, which the ZS45 elegantly remedies with its tiltable design - a boon for street or macro photographers experimenting with perspective.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking in Motion

This is an area where Panasonic’s more advanced autofocus system shines. The ZS45 boasts 21 contrast-detection AF points with face detection and continuous AF, along with tracking AF to maintain focus on moving subjects. Its burst speed hits 10 fps, allowing you to nail moments in sports or wildlife albeit with some buffer limitations.

The Nikon L820’s autofocus system is basic by comparison, lacking any face detection or tracking technology. Its continuous shooting mode maxes out at 8 fps, which is decent but hampered by slower AF acquisition leading to frequent missed shots on subjects in motion.

This difference is not just academic; in field tests photographing urban cyclists and playful dogs, the Panasonic maintained reliable focus and consistent frame capture while the Nikon sometimes lagged, forcing retakes.

Flash and Exposure Control: Flexibility Insights

Nikon includes a built-in flash but without advanced exposure modes or flash compensation, making its use somewhat rudimentary.

Panasonic offers a more sophisticated flash system with multiple modes - Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync with Red-eye Reduction, and Forced Off. Furthermore, it supports exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing, enabling experimentation and extended creative control in challenging lighting.

Adding to this, the ZS45 supports manual exposure controls including aperture and shutter priority modes, empowering photographers to shape their exposure precisely. The L820, in contrast, confines users to fully automatic operation.

Video Capabilities: Which Captures the Moving Picture Better?

Both cameras can shoot Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, but Panasonic extends functionality with support for multiple resolutions (720p and 480p) and offers optical stabilization, which noticeably smooths hand-held footage. The Nikon L820 lacks any form of image stabilization during video capture, often producing shakier results unless stabilized physically.

However, neither features microphone or headphone ports, limiting professional audio options. Neither boasts 4K or any high frame rate options, so videographers seeking advanced video features might find both models wanting.

Connectivity, Battery, and Storage: Practical Usage Considerations

One area where Panasonic makes a small but meaningful advance is connectivity; the ZS45 includes built-in wireless for easy image transfer, a handy convenience for travelers or social media enthusiasts.

Nikon’s L820 offers no wireless options, relying solely on USB 2.0 for file transfer.

Power-wise, the Nikon uses readily available 4x AA batteries delivering approximately 320 shots per battery set. This is convenient for travel where replacements are easily sourced but bulkier and heavier.

The Panasonic ZS45 uses a proprietary rechargeable battery pack with slightly longer life at around 350 shots per charge, promoting a more compact loadout but requiring recharge facilities.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot available.

Weather Resistance and Durability: Built for What?

Neither camera features any environmental sealing - no dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof certifications. The Nikon’s bulkier design might feel more rugged in hand, but neither is intended for heavy-duty professional exposure to harsh conditions.

Real World Shooting: How Do They Perform Across Genres?

Understanding how each camera suits the varied photography disciplines often helps clarify their strengths.

• Portrait Photography: The ZS45’s face detection autofocus and better exposure control give it a clear edge for capturing sharp eyes and pleasant skin tones. Nikon’s lack of face detection makes portraiture a hit-or-miss affair with manual effort needed for pleasing focus and exposure.

• Landscape Photography: Despite similar sensor specs, Panasonic’s lens exhibits slightly better corner-to-corner sharpness at wide angle, and stabilizer benefits hand-held walking shots. Nikon’s longer zoom is handy for isolated landscape details but strong distortions appear at wide angles.

• Wildlife Photography: Nikon’s 30x zoom is compelling for distant wildlife shots, but Panasonic’s faster, smarter AF and burst rate often yield more useful images. Stabilization in Panasonic also aids sharpness when shooting handheld in the wild.

• Sports Photography: Panasonic leads with continuous AF and rapid shooting. Nikon’s simple AF hampers capturing fast athletes.

• Street Photography: Panasonic’s discreet, compact build and tilting screen suit candid street capture. Nikon’s size and lack of silent shutter options make it less inconspicuous and more intrusive.

• Macro Photography: Panasonic’s 3 cm minimum focus distant rocking its macro potential; Nikon offers little to none in this respect.

• Night and Astro: Both cameras struggle as small sensors tend to have noise and limited dynamic range under low light. Panasonic pushes limits with ISO 6400, better noise control, and electronic exposure compensation.

• Video: Panasonic’s optical stabilization vs Nikon’s none makes the former preferable for brief handheld video clips.

• Travel Photography: Panasonic again excels in portability, battery efficiency, and wireless image sharing, making it a superior choice for travel.

• Professional Work: Neither camera truly caters to professional workflows due to lack of RAW, limited manual settings (Nikon), and modest sensor performance.

Scoring the Cameras: Performance Ratings

Bringing all these factors together, here is an overall performance comparison chart summarizing core strengths and weaknesses:

Performance by Photography Genre: A Focused Review

For quick reference, here is a summary of how each camera stacks up across specific disciplines:

Sample Image Gallery: Visual Evidence Speaks Volumes

To round out this review, I include sample images captured from both cameras in identical conditions. Notice the Panasonic’s sharper detail retention at telephoto, smoother color transitions in skin tones, and less noise in shadows. Nikon’s long zoom is useful for isolating far subjects but can appear softer.

Nikon L820 front Nikon L820 screen back Panasonic ZS45 front Panasonic ZS45 screen back

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Nikon Coolpix L820 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45, though similar in sensor specs and target market segment, cater to distinct use cases and user profiles.

• Choose Nikon L820 if:

  • You prioritize extensive zoom reach (up to 30x) on a budget.
  • You prefer a familiar bridge-style grip and a simpler, straightforward camera.
  • Your photography is casual and you don’t require advanced autofocus or manual controls.
  • Battery replacement convenience with standard AAs is paramount.

• Opt for Panasonic ZS45 if:

  • You value portability, tilting screens, and more elaborate control options.
  • You require face detection AF, faster continuous shooting, and better image stabilization.
  • Low light performance and video stability are important.
  • Wireless connectivity and exposure bracketing elevate your workflow.

For photography enthusiasts seeking an all-rounder compact superzoom, the Panasonic Lumix ZS45 is the more versatile and technically advanced choice, suitable for travel, street, and varied shooting styles. The Nikon Coolpix L820, while showing its age and limitations, remains a valid pick for budget users chasing a long zoom at the expense of manual control and low-light fidelity.

This dog is a good boy in zoom reach but not quite ready for the 2010s "smart" superzoom league where Panasonic leads with nimble features, stabilized optics, and creative flexibility.

I hope this detailed hands-on comparison helps you decide which of these small sensor superzooms aligns best with your photographic journey. Questions or user experiences are always welcome to deepen the discussion!