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Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
25
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Nikon S3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released February 2013
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
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Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Nikon S3500 and Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the S3500 (20MP) and SZ5 (14MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3500 was unveiled 8 months after the SZ5 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the S3500 scores vs the SZ5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Panasonic SZ5

 S3500 SZ5 
RevealedFebruary 2013July 2012Newer by 8 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon S3500

 SZ5 S3500 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S3500 and Panasonic SZ5

 S3500 SZ5 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon S3500 has got outside measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S3500 and Panasonic SZ5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the S3500 compared to the SZ5.

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3500 and SZ5 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S3500 and SZ5.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon S3500 to deliver more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer S3500 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3500 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count decent (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
megapixel count good (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S3500
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (129g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3500 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography factors
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3500 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than others in class (129g)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3500 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography details
41
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3500 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (129 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (136g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
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Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3500 and Panasonic SZ5
 Nikon Coolpix S3500Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S3500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-02-21 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-182mm (7.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.4 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT-LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lb) 136 gr (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 250 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $85 $195