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Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
25
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 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 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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Nikon S3500 and Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the S3500 (20MP) and ZS20 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3500 was revealed 11 months after the ZS20 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the S3500 grades vs the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S3500 ZS20 
RevealedFebruary 2013April 2012More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S3500

 ZS20 S3500 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon S3500 and Panasonic ZS20

 S3500 ZS20 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S3500 comes with external dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S3500 and Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the S3500 and the ZS20.

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S3500 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The picture below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3500 and ZS20.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon S3500 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The fresher S3500 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
33
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
30
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S3500
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (129g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
lighter than average (206g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3500 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
42
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S3500
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
69
lighter than competitors in class (129 grams)
megapixel count good (20MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
68
lighter than average (206g)
supports touch focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery life (260 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3500 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography advice
41
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery life (260 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3500 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
32
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (129g)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
34
quite wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (206 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
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Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3500 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S3500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S3500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-02-21 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-182mm (7.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.4 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lbs) 206 gr (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 260 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $85 $349