Clicky

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
50
Features
57
Overall
52

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon S9500
  • Renewed by Nikon S9900
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GH2
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the S9700 (16MP) and GH1 (12MP) and the S9700 (1/2.3") and GH1 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor sizing.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The S9700 was launched 4 years after the GH1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon S9700 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the S9700 scores versus the GH1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Panasonic GH1

 S9700 GH1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014July 2009More modern by 56 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Nikon S9700

 GH1 S9700 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Panasonic GH1

 S9700 GH1 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9700 provides exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic GH1 has measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the S9700 against the GH1.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9700 and GH1 is 90 and 81 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S9700 and GH1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S9700 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Nikon S9700 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher S9700 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography information
37
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (232 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
72
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 Sports photography info
Panasonic GH1 Sports photography info
53
incredible zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (320 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9700
Travel photography with Panasonic GH1
69
lighter than competitors in class (232 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
58
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (320 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9700
Landscape photography with Panasonic GH1
45
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (320 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 Vlogging information
Panasonic GH1 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (232g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
72
screen is selfie friendly
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
no image stabilization
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Panasonic GH1
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9700 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2014-02-07 2009-07-10
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-750mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.7-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 1.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 10.50 m
Flash modes TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 232 grams (0.51 pounds) 385 grams (0.85 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $350 $949