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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Revealed August 2009
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
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Nikon S640 versus Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S640 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S640 was revealed 3 years earlier than the ZS20 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the S640 scores versus the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S640 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S640

 ZS20 S640 
ReleasedApril 2012August 2009Newer by 33 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S640 and Panasonic ZS20

 S640 ZS20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S640 features external measurements of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S640 versus Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S640 compared to the ZS20.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S640 and ZS20 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specifications. The pic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S640 and ZS20.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZS20 to offer extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged S640 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S640 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography features
20
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S640 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than others (206g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S640 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
33
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S640 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
62
lighter than competition (130 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
provides focus by touch
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (260 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S640
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
42
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S640 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
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Nikon S640 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S640 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S640Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S640 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-08-04 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 130g (0.29 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 - 260 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $225 $349