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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced August 2010
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS60
Photography Glossary

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS50, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was introduced 5 years prior to the ZS50 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S5100 scores vs the ZS50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Panasonic ZS50

 S5100 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Nikon S5100

 ZS50 S5100 
RevealedJanuary 2015August 2010More recent by 53 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS50

 S5100 ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon S5100 provides exterior measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS50 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the S5100 and the ZS50.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and ZS50 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The graphic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S5100 and ZS50.

Plainly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you can expect comparable quality of pictures but you may want to take the age of the cameras into account. The older S5100 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
has manual focus
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S5100
Street photography with Panasonic ZS50
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (132g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (243g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S5100
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S5100
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
62
lighter than others in class (132 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
66
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S5100
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
32
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
51
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging advice
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (132 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
34
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (243g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
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Nikon S5100 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Panasonic ZS50
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S5100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-08-17 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
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 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 243g (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life - 300 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL10 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $200 $350