Nikon P7000 vs Panasonic SZ1

Below, we are evaluating the Nikon P7000 versus Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the P7000 (10MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the P7000 (1/1.7") and SZ1 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The P7000 was released 13 months before the SZ1 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the P7000 grades vs the SZ1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix P7000 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon P7000 Gallery & Panasonic SZ1 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon P7000 provides outside measurements of 114mm x 77mm x 45mm (4.5" x 3.0" x 1.8") along with a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Nikon P7000 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the P7000 versus the SZ1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P7000 and SZ1 is 85 and 95 respectively.

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The picture below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the P7000 and SZ1.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The P7000 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ1 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged P7000 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.