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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
58
Overall
48

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Succeeded the Nikon S9300
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS45
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S9500 (18MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S9500 was launched 11 months prior to the ZS40 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the S9500 scores against the ZS40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic ZS40

 S9500 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Nikon S9500

 ZS40 S9500 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2013Fresher by 11 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display resolution920k614kClearer display (+306k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS40

 S9500 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9500 has got outside measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS40 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 differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the S9500 against the ZS40.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9500 and ZS40 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by seeing technical specs. The photograph here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S9500 and ZS40.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you really should consider the release date of the cameras into account. The older S9500 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
31
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
51
focusing manually
good resolution (18MP)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (205g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
69
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9500 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography features
42
great zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
provides tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9500
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
71
lighter than competition (205g)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (550mm)
good max aperture (f)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery power (230 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competition in class (240g)
good resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9500
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
46
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
55
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging details
36
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (205g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing external microphone jack
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (240g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
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Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS40
 Nikon Coolpix S9500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-29 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 99 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-550mm (22.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 614 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech OLED monitor TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.5 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 grams (0.45 lbs) 240 grams (0.53 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 300 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $230 $450