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Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91
Imaging
42
Features
44
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix W300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Launched May 2017
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
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Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Nikon W300 and Panasonic ZS20, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the W300 (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The W300 was manufactured 5 years later than the ZS20 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the W300 scores versus the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon W300 over the Panasonic ZS20

 W300 ZS20 
AnnouncedMay 2017April 2012Fresher by 63 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Nikon W300

 ZS20 W300 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon W300 and Panasonic ZS20

 W300 ZS20 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon W300 offers external dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Examine the Nikon W300 and Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the W300 against the ZS20.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W300 and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the W300 and ZS20.

As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon W300 to produce greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher W300 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon W300 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
36
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon W300 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography features
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than competition in class (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon W300 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon W300 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography info
73
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
features touch focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery (260 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon W300 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
48
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery (260 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon W300 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
33
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Nikon W300 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon W300 and Panasonic ZS20
 Nikon Coolpix W300Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix W300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2017-05-31 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type - CMOS
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash options - 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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 Built-in BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231g (0.51 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 280 shots 260 shots
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5 and 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Onboard + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $387 $349