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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Nikon S9300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 215g - 109 x 62 x 31mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon S9100
  • Replacement is Nikon S9500
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon S9300 and Panasonic SZ1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S9300 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is very comparable and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S9300 was released 7 months later than the SZ1 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the S9300 matches up versus the SZ1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9300 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S9300 SZ1 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2012More recent by 7 months
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon S9300

 SZ1 S9300 

Common features in the Nikon S9300 and Panasonic SZ1

 S9300 SZ1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S9300 offers exterior dimensions of 109mm x 62mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S9300 and Panasonic SZ1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the S9300 vs the SZ1.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S9300 and SZ1 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing specs. The photograph below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9300 and SZ1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution and you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you will need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer S9300 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9300 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
decent MP (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9300
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (215 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9300 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
47
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9300 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
66
lighter than competitors (215g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than competition (131g)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9300 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
41
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
43
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9300
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (215g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing external mic socket
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competition (131 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
Photography Glossary

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9300 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix S9300Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-07-16 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
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 - 23
Cross type focus points - -
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 distance 4cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.9fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 215 grams (0.47 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 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 200 shots 250 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $249 $179