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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Previous Model is Nikon S9300
  • Later Model is Nikon S9700
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S9500 (18MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was announced at a similar time to the SZ3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the S9500 grades vs the SZ3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S9500 SZ3 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper screen (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon S9500

 SZ3 S9500 

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic SZ3

 S9500 SZ3 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2013Similar generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9500 comes with exterior measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the S9500 against the SZ3.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S9500 and SZ3 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through specs. The visual here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S9500 and SZ3.

All in all, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon S9500 to resolve extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
31
MP count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (205 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9500
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
42
excellent zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
71
lighter than average (205 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (550mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9500
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
46
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery power (230 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
36
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (205 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing external microphone socket
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-29 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 99 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-550mm (22.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech OLED monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.5fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205g (0.45 lbs) 126g (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $230 $150