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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Previous Model is Nikon S9300
  • Renewed by Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was unveiled 8 months later than the ZS15 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S9500 scores versus the ZS15 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S9500 ZS15 
RevealedJanuary 2013June 2012Fresher by 8 months
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon S9500

 ZS15 S9500 

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS15

 S9500 ZS15 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon S9500 provides outside 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS15 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the S9500 vs the ZS15.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S9500 and ZS15 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S9500 and ZS15.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon S9500 to deliver extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger S9500 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography info
31
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography details
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (205 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (208 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
42
incredible zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9500
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
71
lighter than average (205 grams)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (550mm)
fast max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse function
low battery pack (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
lighter than average (208 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9500
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
46
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery pack (230 shots)
missing Timelapse function
36
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
36
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (205g)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
33
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (208g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS15
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-29 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 99 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-550mm (22.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 614k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.5 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 grams (0.45 pounds) 208 grams (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $230 $279