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Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon L840
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-855mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 538g - 114 x 89 x 96mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Succeeded the Nikon L830
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon L840 and Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the L840 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L840 was brought out 2 years later than the ZS20 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the L840 matches up vs the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Panasonic ZS20

 L840 ZS20 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015April 2012More recent by 34 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon L840

 ZS20 L840 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L840 and Panasonic ZS20

 L840 ZS20 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon L840 has exterior dimensions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") along with a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the L840 and the ZS20.

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the L840 and ZS20 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at specifications. The graphic here should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L840 and ZS20.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon L840 to resolve extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern L840 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L840 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography factors
36
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L840 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography information
51
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competition (538g)
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than average in class (206g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L840
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
51
great zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
good battery (590 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
57
good battery (590 shots)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
very long zoom (855mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (538g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
provides focus via touch
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L840 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography info
43
pretty wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good battery (590 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L840
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
27
pretty wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
heavier than competition (538 grams)
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L840 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix L840Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L840 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2015-02-10 2012-04-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-855mm (37.2x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.4fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 538 gr (1.19 lb) 206 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 590 photos 260 photos
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SC/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $400 $349