Clicky

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix W300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Nikon W300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 231g - 112 x 66 x 29mm
  • Revealed May 2017
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon W300 versus Panasonic SZ1, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the W300 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The W300 was announced 5 years later than the SZ1 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the W300 matches up versus the SZ1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon W300 over the Panasonic SZ1

 W300 SZ1 
LaunchedMay 2017January 2012Fresher by 66 months
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon W300

 SZ1 W300 

Common features in the Nikon W300 and Panasonic SZ1

 W300 SZ1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon W300 enjoys outer dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Nikon W300 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the W300 vs the SZ1.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the W300 and SZ1 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W300 and SZ1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP so you can expect similar quality of photos but you might want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher W300 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon W300 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography highlights
36
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Nikon W300 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Nikon W300 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
49
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Nikon W300 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
73
environment proof
has bluetooth
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon W300 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
48
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon W300
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (131g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon W300 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix W300Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix W300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2017-05-31 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type - CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
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 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 231g (0.51 pounds) 131g (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 280 pictures 250 pictures
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5 and 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Onboard + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $387 $179