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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS45
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was unveiled 12 months prior to the ZS40 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the S6500 matches up versus the ZS40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic ZS40

 S6500 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Nikon S6500

 ZS40 S6500 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013Fresher by 12 months
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS40

 S6500 ZS40 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S6500 offers external 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S6500 vs the ZS40.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S6500 and ZS40 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S6500 and ZS40.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic ZS40 to provide you with more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The older S6500 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
44
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
has face detection focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
52
manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography information
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (250g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
54
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography details
69
lighter than others in class (250 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors (240g)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography factors
50
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
56
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging advice
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
34
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic port
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS40
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-08 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
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 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology AMOLED display TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 240 grams (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 300 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Pricing at release $170 $450