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Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
52
Imaging
43
Features
70
Overall
53
Nikon Coolpix P950 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon P950
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 1005g - 140 x 110 x 150mm
  • Introduced January 2020
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Nikon P950 versus Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the P950 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P950 was revealed 7 years after the ZS20 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon P950 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the P950 scores against the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P950 over the Panasonic ZS20

 P950 ZS20 
ReleasedJanuary 2020April 2012Newer by 94 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon P950

 ZS20 P950 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon P950 and Panasonic ZS20

 P950 ZS20 

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P950 features exterior measurements of 140mm x 110mm x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") having a weight of 1005 grams (2.22 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Nikon P950 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the P950 vs the ZS20.

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the P950 and ZS20 is 52 and 92 respectively.

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The image below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the P950 and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon P950 to result in extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively. The younger P950 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P950 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
57
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
small sensor (1/2.3")
30
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon P950 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
53
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (1,005g)
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than others (206g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon P950 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
54
amazing zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P950 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography factors
59
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (2000mm)
heavier than competition (1,005g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P950 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
55
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery (260 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon P950
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
59
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic socket
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (1,005 grams)
34
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
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Nikon P950 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P950 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix P950Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P950 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2020-01-07 2012-04-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-2000mm (83.3x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 90 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 300 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 11.50 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB EN-EL20a lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1005 gr (2.22 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 140 x 110 x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 290 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $797 $349