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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
48
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon S9500
  • Refreshed by Nikon S9900
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S9700 was introduced 2 months after the SZ8 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the S9700 scores vs the SZ8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Panasonic SZ8

 S9700 SZ8 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon S9700

 SZ8 S9700 

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Panasonic SZ8

 S9700 SZ8 
RevealedFebruary 2014January 2014Same generation
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9700 features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the S9700 against the SZ8.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S9700 and SZ8 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The pic here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S9700 and SZ8.

All in all, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of photos but you might want to factor the release date of the cameras into account.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
36
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (232g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
52
long zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
33
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors (232 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.7)
67
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9700 Landscape photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography features
44
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (232 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9700 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-02-07 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-750mm (30.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 5.20 m
Flash modes TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 232 gr (0.51 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 200 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $350 $275