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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was introduced 13 months after the SZ1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the S6500 scores vs the SZ1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S6500 SZ1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2012More modern by 13 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon S6500

 SZ1 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic SZ1

 S6500 SZ1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S6500 has got physical dimensions of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the S6500 and the SZ1.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S6500 and SZ1 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The image here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S6500 and SZ1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you will want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The younger S6500 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography highlights
44
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average (131g)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography highlights
50
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than average (131 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-08 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech AMOLED display TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 131 gr (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 250 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $170 $179