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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon Coolpix S9900 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Launched February 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon S9700
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Nikon S9900 and Panasonic SZ1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S9900 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9900 was manufactured 3 years later than the SZ1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the S9900 scores against the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S9900 SZ1 
ReleasedFebruary 2015January 2012More recent by 38 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon S9900

 SZ1 S9900 

Common features in the Nikon S9900 and Panasonic SZ1

 S9900 SZ1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S9900 features external 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 SZ1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S9900 and Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the S9900 and the SZ1.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S9900 and SZ1 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The photograph below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S9900 and SZ1.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of images however you need to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The newer S9900 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9900 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
37
MP count good (16MP)
has face detect focus
no manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
34
good MP (16MP)
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9900 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
68
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (289g)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9900 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography highlights
53
amazing zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9900 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography info
77
lighter than others in class (289g)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9900 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
47
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9900
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
73
fairly wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (289 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
no mic port
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9900 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix S9900Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9900 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-02-10 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-750mm (30.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 289 grams (0.64 lbs) 131 grams (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 pictures 250 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $300 $179