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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon S9300
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon S9100 versus Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the S9100 (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was unveiled 3 years prior to the ZS40 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S9100 grades against the ZS40 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Panasonic ZS40

 S9100 ZS40 
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Nikon S9100

 ZS40 S9100 
IntroducedJanuary 2014July 2011More modern by 30 months

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic ZS40

 S9100 ZS40 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9100 features outer dimensions of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check the Nikon S9100 versus 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 change depending on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the S9100 versus the ZS40.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S9100 and ZS40 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The pic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9100 and ZS40.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS40 to provide you with more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged S9100 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9100
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
33
you can focus manually
offers face detect focusing
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
52
focusing manually
good resolution (18MP)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (214g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
69
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (240 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9100
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
36
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (270 per charge)
no phase detect AF
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition (214g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (270 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition (240 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Landscape photography camera
40
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery pack (270 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
56
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9100
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS40
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (240g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Panasonic ZS40
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-19 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (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
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 240g (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs 300 photographs
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $329 $450