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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon S9300
  • Successor is Nikon S9700
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S9500 (18MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was brought out 7 months later than the LZ20 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon S9500 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the S9500 grades vs the LZ20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic LZ20

 S9500 LZ20 
IntroducedJanuary 2013July 2012More recent by 7 months
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Nikon S9500

 LZ20 S9500 

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic LZ20

 S9500 LZ20 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9500 enjoys outside measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ20 has proportions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the S9500 vs the LZ20.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S9500 and LZ20 is 92 and 71 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing specifications. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S9500 and LZ20.

Plainly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon S9500 to produce more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern S9500 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Portrait photography camera
31
decent megapixels (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
37
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Street photography camera
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (205g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
45
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 Sports photography advice
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography advice
42
long zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
great battery life (380 shots)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography highlights
71
lighter than average (205 grams)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (550mm)
very good max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
58
great battery life (380 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (499 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography highlights
46
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery power (230 shots)
missing Timelapse function
45
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
great battery life (380 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
36
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (205 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
25
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competitors in class (499g)
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic LZ20
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-29 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-550mm (22.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 614 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology OLED monitor TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.5 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lb) 499 gr (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
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 230 shots 380 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $230 $250