Clicky

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon Coolpix S9900 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs

Nikon S9900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 289g - 112 x 66 x 40mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Succeeded the Nikon S9700
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Older Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Later Model is Panasonic LZ40
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Nikon S9900 versus Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S9900 (16MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The S9900 was announced 2 years later than the LZ30 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon S9900 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S9900 scores against the LZ30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Panasonic LZ30

 S9900 LZ30 
ReleasedFebruary 2015January 2013Fresher by 26 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Nikon S9900

 LZ30 S9900 

Common features in the Nikon S9900 and Panasonic LZ30

 S9900 LZ30 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon S9900 comes with outside measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ30 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S9900 versus Panasonic LZ30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the S9900 and the LZ30.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S9900 and LZ30 is 88 and 66 respectively.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S9900 and LZ30.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of images but you need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer S9900 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9900
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ30
37
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
32
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9900
Street photography with Panasonic LZ30
68
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (289 grams)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
43
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (552 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Nikon S9900 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography highlights
53
long zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9900
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ30
77
lighter than average in class (289g)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
56
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (875mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (552g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9900 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography highlights
47
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
45
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (380 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9900 Vlogging details
Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging details
73
quite wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (289 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
no mic jack
22
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (552g)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9900 and Panasonic LZ30
 Nikon Coolpix S9900Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9900 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2015-02-10 2013-01-07
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-750mm (30.0x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) 4.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 289 gr (0.64 pounds) 552 gr (1.22 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 380 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID EN-EL19 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $230