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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS200
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon Z50 versus Panasonic ZS100, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the ZS100 (20MP) is very similar but the Z50 (APS-C) and ZS100 (1") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z50 was unveiled 3 years later than the ZS100 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the Z50 scores versus the ZS100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic ZS100

 Z50 ZS100 
AnnouncedOctober 2019January 2016Fresher by 46 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Nikon Z50

 ZS100 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS100

 Z50 ZS100 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display resolution1040k1040kThe same display resolution
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z50 has physical dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS100 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z50 versus Panasonic ZS100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the Z50 against the ZS100.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and ZS100 is 74 and 87 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and ZS100.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z50 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z50 will deliver more detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher Z50 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS100 Portrait photography factors
80
has manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
64
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS100 Street photography info
73
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
78
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
lighter than competitors (312g)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Sports photography camera
75
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
67
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes tracking focus
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z50
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS100
77
weather sealing
has bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than competition (397 grams)
75
lighter than competitors (312g)
comes with touch focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
68
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS100
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic jack
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (397 grams)
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competitors (312 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic port
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS100
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2019-10-10 2016-01-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS MOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 209 49
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 9.9 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 8.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397g (0.88 pounds) 312g (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 559
Other
Battery life 320 shots 300 shots
Battery form Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $857 $700