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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Succeeded the Nikon S9300
  • Refreshed by Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and ZS20 (14MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was announced 10 months after the ZS20 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S9500 scores versus the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S9500 ZS20 
RevealedJanuary 2013April 2012More modern by 10 months
Display resolution614k460kClearer display (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S9500

 ZS20 S9500 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS20

 S9500 ZS20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S9500 enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the S9500 against the ZS20.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9500 and ZS20 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching specifications. The picture underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S9500 and ZS20.

To sum up, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon S9500 to render extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer S9500 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography features
31
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
30
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9500
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (205 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than competition in class (206g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
42
long zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9500 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
71
lighter than average (205 grams)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (550mm)
great max aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery (230 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
offers touch focus
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9500 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
46
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9500
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
36
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (205g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
34
decently wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-29 2012-04-26
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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 99 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-550mm (22.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display 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 type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.5fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $230 $349