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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon S9300
  • Renewed by Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and ZR1 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was introduced 3 years after the ZR1 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the S9500 grades against the ZR1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic ZR1

 S9500 ZR1 
IntroducedJanuary 2013July 2009More modern by 43 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Nikon S9500

 ZR1 S9500 

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZR1

 S9500 ZR1 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S9500 comes with external measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the S9500 compared to the ZR1.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S9500 and ZR1 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The image underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S9500 and ZR1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon S9500 to deliver greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern S9500 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9500
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
31
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 Street photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography features
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography features
41
long zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography factors
71
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (550mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
57
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography info
46
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
32
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging info
36
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
28
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZR1
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Other name - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-29 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine V
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-550mm (22.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.5 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.10 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lb) 158 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $230 $280