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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Launched February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon S9500
  • Renewed by Nikon S9900
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S9700 was revealed 22 months after the ZS20 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S9700 matches up vs the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Panasonic ZS20

 S9700 ZS20 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014April 2012Newer by 22 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon S9700

 ZS20 S9700 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Panasonic ZS20

 S9700 ZS20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon S9700 has outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S9700 versus Panasonic ZS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the S9700 vs the ZS20.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9700 and ZS20 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The pic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S9700 and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon S9700 to offer more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more modern S9700 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography features
37
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9700
Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (232g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than competition (206 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
53
long zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than average (232 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (750mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.7)
68
lighter than competition (206g)
has focus via touch
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9700
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
45
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (232g)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (206g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9700 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-02-07 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
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 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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 25-750mm (30.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 232 grams (0.51 lbs) 206 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 images 260 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $349