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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon S9300
  • New Model is Nikon S9700
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon S9500 versus Panasonic S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and S1 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was introduced 2 years later than the S1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the S9500 grades versus the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic S1

 S9500 S1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2011More recent by 26 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper screen (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Nikon S9500

 S1 S9500 

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic S1

 S9500 S1 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S9500 enjoys outer 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 S1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9500 versus Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S9500 versus the S1.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the S9500 and S1 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by reading technical specs. The visual below will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the S9500 and S1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Nikon S9500 to deliver extra detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent S9500 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography factors
31
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 Street photography advice
Panasonic S1 Street photography advice
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (205g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
42
great zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competition (205 grams)
megapixel count good (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (550mm)
fast max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (230 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
62
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography features
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography features
46
relatively wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9500
Vlogging with Panasonic S1
36
relatively wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (205g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing mic socket
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic S1
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-29 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-550mm (22.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech OLED monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.5 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE 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 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lbs) 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 60 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 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 230 photographs 240 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $230 $269