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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 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
  • Successor is Nikon S9300
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is pretty similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was introduced 14 months after the ZS5 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the S9100 grades against the ZS5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Panasonic ZS5

 S9100 ZS5 
ReleasedJuly 2011June 2010More modern by 14 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Nikon S9100

 ZS5 S9100 

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Panasonic ZS5

 S9100 ZS5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9100 features outside 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 ZS5 has measurements 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 S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the S9100 and the ZS5.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S9100 and ZS5 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S9100 and ZS5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of images but you might want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer S9100 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography info
32
manual focus
features face detection focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9100
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9100
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
36
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (270 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (270 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than competitors (214g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography info
39
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery life (270 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (214g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic jack
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Panasonic ZS5
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-19 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 270 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $329 $300