Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1
92 Imaging
42 Features
37 Overall
40


91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(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
- Updated by Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Launched May 2009
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the S9500 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

The S9500 was revealed 3 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the S9500 scores against the ZS1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S9500 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The full galleries are provided at Nikon S9500 Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic ZS1
S9500 | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 46 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+384k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Nikon S9500
ZS1 | S9500 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS1
S9500 | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S9500 has physical dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the S9500 versus the ZS1.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S9500 and ZS1 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The picture here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S9500 and ZS1.
Plainly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S9500 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Nikon S9500 will produce more detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively. The younger S9500 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S9500 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix S9500 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
Alternative name | - | Lumix DMC-TZ6 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-01-29 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor area | 28.5mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 99 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-550mm (22.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 614k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.5 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video data format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 205 grams (0.45 lb) | 229 grams (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
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 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $230 | $0 |