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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Nikon Coolpix S9300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Nikon S9300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon S9100
  • New Model is Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S9300 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S9300 was released 3 months later than the ZS20 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the S9300 matches up vs the ZS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9300 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S9300 ZS20 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S9300

 ZS20 S9300 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S9300 and Panasonic ZS20

 S9300 ZS20 
LaunchedJuly 2012April 2012Similar age
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon S9300 has got external measurements of 109mm x 62mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the S9300 compared to the ZS20.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S9300 and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through technical specs. The visual below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S9300 and ZS20.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon S9300 to give you more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9300 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
35
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9300 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (215g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9300 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography info
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
features tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9300 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
66
lighter than competition (215 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
provides focus by touch
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9300 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography details
41
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery power (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9300 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (215 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (206g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic port
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Nikon S9300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9300 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S9300Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-07-16 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.9fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 215 grams (0.47 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $249 $349