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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Nikon S100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
  • Revealed August 2011
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS45
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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon S100 and Panasonic ZS40, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S100 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S100 was released 3 years earlier than the ZS40 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S100 scores against the ZS40 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Panasonic ZS40

 S100 ZS40 
Display dimensions3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Nikon S100

 ZS40 S100 
LaunchedJanuary 2014August 2011More recent by 28 months
Display resolution920k820kClearer display (+100k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S100 and Panasonic ZS40

 S100 ZS40 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S100 has outer dimensions of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S100 and Panasonic ZS40 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the S100 and the ZS40.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the S100 and ZS40 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S100 and ZS40.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to provide extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older S100 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S100 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography information
40
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers face detect focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
52
focusing manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S100 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography features
63
image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (240g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S100
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
38
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (150 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
54
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S100 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography features
65
offers focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (150 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.9)
69
lighter than average in class (240g)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S100 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography details
45
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
big screen (3.5")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery power (150 shots)
no Timelapse recording
56
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S100 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging highlights
35
really wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
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Nikon S100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S100 and Panasonic ZS40
 Nikon Coolpix S100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-08-24 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 820 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech Organic LED monitor TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
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, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175g (0.39 pounds) 240g (0.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 150 photos 300 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $240 $450