Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic LZ20 Comparison

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Nikon S6100

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

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Panasonic LZ20

16 MP | 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) CCD Sensor

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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic LZ20 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two cameras with different body types: Nikon S6100, which was introduced in February 2011 is a Small Sensor Compact camera with a 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor whereas Panasonic LZ20, which was introduced in July 2012 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. There is 17 months difference between S6100 and LZ20 so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger LZ20, especially in sensor tech.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon S6100 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2011-02-09

16MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 80 - 3200

28-196 mm F3.7-5.6 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

1 fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

175g. 98 x 58 x 27 mm

Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2012-07-18

16MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 100 - 1600 ( expands to 6400)

25-525 mm F3.1-5.8 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

1 fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

499g. 120 x 76 x 80 mm

Panasonic LZ20 was replaced by Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 vs Nikon Coolpix S6100

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix S6100 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20

Touch Screen	Yes vs No	Easy control of camera functions
Max ISO	3.200 vs 1.600	100% higher Max ISO
Weight	175 g vs 499 g	324 g lighter
Max Aperture - Tele	5.60 vs 5.80	faster lens at tele

Reasons to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 over Nikon Coolpix S6100

Battery Life	380 shots vs 210 shots	170 more frames with a single charge
Manual Exposure	Yes vs No	better exposure control
Focal Length - Wide	25mm vs 28mm	3 mm wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele	525mm vs 196mm	329 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	21× vs 7×	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	3.10 vs 3.70	faster lens at wide
Flash Coverage	6.8m vs 4.5m	2.3m longer range
AE Bracketing	Yes vs No	Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix S6100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20

Image Stabilization	Optical vs Optical	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs Yes	very handy for portraits

Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix S6100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder	None vs None	No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
LCD Screen Resolution	460k dots vs 460k dots	Low resolution screens
Continuous Shooting	1.0fps vs 1.0fps	Slow shooting speeds

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Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic LZ20: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon S6100 has external dimensions of 98 x 58 x 27 mm (3.86 x 2.28 x 1.06″) and weighs 175 g (0.39 lb / 6.17 oz) (including batteries). Panasonic LZ20 has external dimensions of 120 x 76 x 80 mm (4.72 x 2.99 x 3.15″) and weighs 499 g (1.10 lb / 17.60 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20. Nikon S6100 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 22mm narrower, 18mm shorter and 53mm thinner than Panasonic LZ20.

Comparison image of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20.

Comparison image of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20.

Top View Comparison image of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon S6100 is significantly lighter (324g ) than the Panasonic LZ20 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Bridge Cameras

S6100

LZ20

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Bridge Cameras

S6100

LZ20

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Nikon Coolpix S6100 nor Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing
Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic LZ20: Sensor Comparison

Both Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 have 1/2.3-inch sized 16.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.

Below you can see the S6100 and LZ20 sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 Cameras

Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 have almost the same sensor size so none of them has any significant advantage over other in providing control over depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic LZ20 Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon S6100 features a 28-196 mm F3.7-5.6 7× zoom lens whereas Panasonic LZ20 features a 25-525 mm F3.1-5.8 21× zoom lens.

Panasonic LZ20 has 3mm wider coverage than the Nikon S6100. At f3.10, it is also faster at widest end. On the tele end, Panasonic LZ20 has 329mm longer telezoom reach than the Nikon S6100. However, with a max aperture of f5.60, Nikon S6100 is faster at widest end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

S6100

LZ20

Widest - Ricoh WG-M1

Average

Telezoom

DSLR-Like Cameras

S6100

LZ20

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

DSLR-Like Cameras

S6100

LZ20

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

DSLR-Like Cameras

S6100

LZ20

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon S6100 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Panasonic LZ20 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Nikon S6100 for Street Photography

GOOD

Panasonic LZ20 for Street Photography

AVERAGE

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Slow Lens at Wide: f3.70
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Nikon S6100 for Sports Photography

POOR

Panasonic LZ20 for Sports Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
196 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 210 shots
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Exposure Mode
525 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details

Nikon S6100 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Panasonic LZ20 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Compact Body
175g
7.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

21.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
499g
Body Thickness 80mm
Read the details

Nikon S6100 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Panasonic LZ20 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Manual Focus Mode
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Manual Exposure Mode
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon S6100 vs Panasonic LZ20: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon S6100 and Panasonic LZ20 scores compare:

Nikon S6100

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #184 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #749 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Panasonic LZ20

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #107 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #913 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Nikon S6100 has a higher Overall Score than the Panasonic LZ20 and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Nikon S6100 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Nikon Coolpix S6100	Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Brand	Nikon	Panasonic
Announced	2011-02-09	2012-07-18
Body Type	Compact	SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor
Type	CCD	CCD
Size	1/2.3-inch	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	6.08 x 4.56 mm
Area	28.07mm²	27.72mm²
Megapixels	16 megapixels	16 megapixels
Max Resolution	4608 x 3456	4608 x 3456
Max Native Light sensitivity	3,200 ISO	1,600 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity	-	6400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	9	9
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	28-196 mm (7×)	25-525 mm (21×)
Max Aperture	F3.7-5.6	F3.1-5.8
Macro Focus Range	3cm	2cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3"	3"
Resolution	460k dots	460k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/2000s	1/2000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization	Optical	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	4.50 m	6.80 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	1.0 fps	1.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	1280 x 720	1280 x 720
Video Formats	MPEG-4, Motion JPEG	Motion JPEG
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	175g	499g
Dimensions	98 x 58 x 27mm	120 x 76 x 80mm
Battery Life	210 shots	380 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	None
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction