Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5
91 Imaging
35 Features
41 Overall
37
95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
- Released July 2011
- Updated by Nikon S9300
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Introduced July 2012
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic SZ5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe S9100 was announced 12 months before the SZ5 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the S9100 grades vs the SZ5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Photography Glossary Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S9100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon S9100 Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Panasonic SZ5
| S9100 | SZ5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More accurate focus | |||
| Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon S9100
| SZ5 | S9100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2012 | July 2011 | More recent by 12 months |
Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic SZ5
| S9100 | SZ5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen size | |
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither offers Touch screen |
Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S9100 offers outer measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
See the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic SZ5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the S9100 vs the SZ5.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9100 and SZ5 is 91 and 95 respectively.
Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The photograph below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S9100 and SZ5.
To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ5 to render extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older S9100 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix S9100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
| Model | Nikon Coolpix S9100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2011-07-19 | 2012-07-18 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
| 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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 25-450mm (18.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
| Macro focus distance | 4cm | 5cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 921k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display tech | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | TFT Screen LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 2.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.00 m | 5.60 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 214 grams (0.47 lbs) | 136 grams (0.30 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" 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 | 270 pictures | 250 pictures |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Cost at launch | $329 | $195 |