Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5
88 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
48


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S9900 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon S9900 Gallery and Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Panasonic SZ5
S9900 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2015 | ![]() | July 2012 | More recent by 32 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S9900 | Panasonic 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 |