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Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix S5200 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon S5200
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-156mm (F) lens
  • 146g - 98 x 58 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S5200 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S5200 was announced 10 months later than the ZS20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the S5200 scores against the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S5200 ZS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013April 2012More recent by 10 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S5200

 ZS20 S5200 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S5200 and Panasonic ZS20

 S5200 ZS20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon S5200 offers external measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the S5200 and the ZS20.

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S5200 and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at specs. The visual below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S5200 and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon S5200 to give you more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent S5200 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5200 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography highlights
30
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5200 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
48
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5200 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
28
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (160 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5200 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
68
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (160 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
offers touch to focus
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery power (260 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5200 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
42
reasonably wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery power (160 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery power (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5200 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging highlights
33
reasonably wide (26mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
34
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5200 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S5200Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S5200 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-29 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-156mm (6.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 146g (0.32 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 58 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 life 160 photographs 260 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $130 $349