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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 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 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
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon S6500 versus Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was brought out 9 months after the ZS20 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the S6500 scores versus the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S6500 ZS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013April 2012More modern by 9 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S6500

 ZS20 S6500 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS20

 S6500 ZS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S6500 enjoys exterior dimensions of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions 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 S6500 versus Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the S6500 compared to the ZS20.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S6500 and ZS20 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing specs. The image below might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S6500 and ZS20.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon S6500 to provide more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer S6500 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S6500
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
43
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than others (206g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S6500
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
69
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
includes touch focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S6500
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S6500
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-08 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech AMOLED display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 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, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 260 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $170 $349