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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon Coolpix S9900 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Nikon S9900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Earlier Model is Nikon S9700
Panasonic SZ5
(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
  • Introduced July 2012
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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Nikon S9900 versus Panasonic SZ5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S9900 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9900 was brought out 2 years later than the SZ5 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S9900 scores versus the SZ5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Panasonic SZ5

 S9900 SZ5 
IntroducedFebruary 2015July 2012More recent by 32 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon S9900

 SZ5 S9900 

Common features in the Nikon S9900 and Panasonic SZ5

 S9900 SZ5 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S9900 enjoys physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") and a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S9900 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S9900 compared to the SZ5.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S9900 and SZ5 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S9900 and SZ5.

As you can see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon S9900 to show more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The more modern S9900 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9900 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
37
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
decent MP (14MP)
supports face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9900 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography features
68
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (289 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9900 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography factors
53
incredible zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9900 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
77
lighter than competition (289g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
70
lighter than others in class (136g)
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9900
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
47
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9900 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
73
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (289g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
doesn't have mic port
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9900 and Panasonic SZ5
 Nikon Coolpix S9900Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9900 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-02-10 2012-07-18
Body design 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-750mm (30.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change 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, Slow Sync
External flash
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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 289 gr (0.64 lb) 136 gr (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $300 $195