Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5
90 Imaging
40 Features
48 Overall
43


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2014
- Previous Model is Nikon S9500
- New Model is Nikon S9900
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Launched July 2012

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic SZ5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The S9700 was manufactured 19 months later than the SZ5 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the S9700 grades against the SZ5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S9700 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon S9700 Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Panasonic SZ5
S9700 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2014 | ![]() | July 2012 | More recent by 19 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon S9700
SZ5 | S9700 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Panasonic SZ5
S9700 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9700 enjoys outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has proportions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Look at the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic SZ5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the S9700 vs the SZ5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9700 and SZ5 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by reading a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S9700 and SZ5.
As you can see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon S9700 to offer greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos more aggressively. The fresher S9700 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S9700 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix S9700 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-02-07 | 2012-07-18 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 99 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-750mm (30.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.7-6.4 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8s | 8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.00 m | 5.60 m |
Flash settings | TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 232g (0.51 lb) | 136g (0.30 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 | 300 photographs | 250 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $350 | $195 |