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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • New Model is Nikon S9300
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon S9100 versus Panasonic SZ7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was unveiled 5 months prior to the SZ7 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the S9100 matches up vs the SZ7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Panasonic SZ7

 S9100 SZ7 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Nikon S9100

 SZ7 S9100 

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic SZ7

 S9100 SZ7 
AnnouncedJuly 2011January 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9100 provides physical dimensions 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 SZ7 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Nikon S9100 versus Panasonic SZ7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the S9100 compared to the SZ7.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S9100 and SZ7 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9100 and SZ7.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ7 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography advice
32
you can focus manually
provides face detect focusing
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (133g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography information
36
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (270 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
43
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition in class (214g)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (270 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than average (133 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography info
39
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery life (270 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9100
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ7
34
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
35
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (133 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Panasonic SZ7
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214g (0.47 lbs) 133g (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 270 pictures 220 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $329 $199