Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20
95 Imaging
44 Features
25 Overall
36


92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S3500 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon S3500 Gallery & Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Panasonic ZS20
S3500 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2013 | ![]() | April 2012 | More modern by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S3500
ZS20 | S3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S3500 | Panasonic 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 |