Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40
92 Imaging
42 Features
37 Overall
40


90 Imaging
42 Features
58 Overall
48
Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix S9500 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon S9500 Gallery and Panasonic ZS40 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Panasonic ZS40
S9500 | ZS40 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Nikon S9500
ZS40 | S9500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2014 | ![]() | January 2013 | Fresher by 11 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 614k | Clearer display (+306k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Panasonic ZS40
S9500 | ZS40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S9500 | Panasonic 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 |