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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon Coolpix S9900 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Nikon S9900 versus Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the S9900 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S9900 was brought out 2 years later than the ZS15 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the S9900 matches up against the ZS15 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S9900 ZS15 
IntroducedFebruary 2015June 2012More recent by 32 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon S9900

 ZS15 S9900 

Common features in the Nikon S9900 and Panasonic ZS15

 S9900 ZS15 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9900 has got external dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S9900 versus Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the S9900 vs the ZS15.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S9900 and ZS15 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S9900 and ZS15.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon S9900 to result in greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent S9900 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9900 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography advice
37
good MP (16MP)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9900
Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
68
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (289 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9900 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
53
great zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9900 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography info
77
lighter than others (289 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (750mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
61
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (260 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9900 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography info
47
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
37
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery power (260 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9900 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging details
73
decently wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (289 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
doesn't have external microphone jack
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Nikon S9900 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9900 and Panasonic ZS15
 Nikon Coolpix S9900Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S9900 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2015-02-10 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-750mm (30.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 289 grams (0.64 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $300 $279