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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Revealed September 2010
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is fairly close and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S8100 was released 3 months later than the ZS5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S8100 grades against the ZS5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic ZS5

 S8100 ZS5 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Nikon S8100

 ZS5 S8100 

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS5

 S8100 ZS5 
IntroducedSeptember 2010June 2010Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon S8100 provides exterior measurements of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the S8100 versus the ZS5.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S8100 and ZS5 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through technical specs. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S8100 and ZS5.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos though you need to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8100 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography advice
26
offers face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S8100 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (214g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography information
38
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S8100
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
55
has built in flash
long zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than others (214g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S8100
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
32
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging advice
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than others (214 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS5
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S8100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-09-08 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-300mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180 gr (0.40 pounds) 214 gr (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 220 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $299 $300