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Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
61
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon Z6 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Nikon Z6 II
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released October 2020
  • Succeeded the Nikon Z6
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the Z6 II (25MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the Z6 II (Full frame) and SZ1 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The Z6 II was manufactured 8 years later than the SZ1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z6 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the Z6 II scores versus the SZ1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 II over the Panasonic SZ1

 Z6 II SZ1 
AnnouncedOctober 2020January 2012More recent by 107 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k230kSharper screen (+1870k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon Z6 II

 SZ1 Z6 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z6 II and Panasonic SZ1

 Z6 II SZ1 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z6 II has outside dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the Z6 II against the SZ1.

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the Z6 II and SZ1 is 61 and 95 respectively.

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by checking technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the Z6 II and SZ1.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Z6 II due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon Z6 II will resolve greater detail due to its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer Z6 II provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography factors
86
manual focus
high MP (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Street photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography features
78
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (131g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
66
weather proofing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
high MP (25MP)
terrible battery life (410 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than competitors (131g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography factors
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
43
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z6 II
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
36
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (131g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 II and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Z6 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z6 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2020-10-14 2012-01-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6048 x 4024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 273 23
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,100k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 14.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 gr (1.55 lbs) 131 gr (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" 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 410 photos 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage CFexpress Type B / XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail pricing $1,997 $179