Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1
95 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
- 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
- Introduced August 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Released May 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview
The following is a complete comparison of the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is relatively close but the S5100 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") posses different sensor sizing.

The S5100 was launched 16 months after the ZS1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the S5100 scores against the ZS1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S5100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The complete galleries are available at Nikon S5100 Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Panasonic ZS1
S5100 | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | Newer by 16 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Nikon S5100
ZS1 | S5100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS1
S5100 | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon S5100 has got outer dimensions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Examine the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the S5100 and the ZS1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and ZS1 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by researching specifications. The picture underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5100 and ZS1.
Plainly, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S5100 because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Nikon S5100 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern S5100 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S5100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S5100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
Alternate name | - | Lumix DMC-TZ6 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2010-08-17 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.7-6.6 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 2cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 132g (0.29 lbs) | 229g (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 ID | EN-EL10 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $200 | $0 |