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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S6100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon S6100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
  • 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
  • Announced February 2011
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
  • Announced April 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S6100 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very close and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S6100 was announced 14 months prior to the ZS20 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S6100 grades vs the ZS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S6100 ZS20 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S6100

 ZS20 S6100 
AnnouncedApril 2012February 2011Fresher by 14 months

Common features in the Nikon S6100 and Panasonic ZS20

 S6100 ZS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S6100 features exterior measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S6100 compared to the ZS20.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S6100 and ZS20 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The photograph below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the S6100 and ZS20.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon S6100 to provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older S6100 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6100 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography advice
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6100 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
62
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than average in class (206g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6100 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
38
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6100 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
65
supports touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (210 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.7)
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
comes with touch to focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (260 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6100 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery power (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S6100
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
32
decently wide (28mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f3.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (206g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone jack
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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6100 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S6100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S6100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-02-09 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-196mm (7.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.7-5.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT touchscreen 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 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.50 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 gr (0.39 lb) 206 gr (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $195 $349