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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Earlier Model is Nikon S9300
  • Renewed by Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Nikon S9500 versus Panasonic ZR3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and ZR3 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was revealed 3 years after the ZR3 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the S9500 scores against the ZR3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S9500 ZR3 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2010Newer by 37 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon S9500

 ZR3 S9500 

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZR3

 S9500 ZR3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S9500 provides physical dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Nikon S9500 versus Panasonic ZR3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the S9500 vs the ZR3.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S9500 and ZR3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specs. The picture here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S9500 and ZR3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S9500 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent S9500 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9500
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
31
resolution is good (18MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9500
Street photography with Panasonic ZR3
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9500
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
42
long zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
36
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography details
71
lighter than competition in class (205g)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (550mm)
great max aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery (230 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
64
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9500
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
46
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery (230 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
37
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging details
36
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
29
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-29 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
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 18MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-550mm (22.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 614k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.5 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format - AVCHD Lite
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
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 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $230 $280