• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S6500 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 250 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    153g vs 309g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Nikon S6500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 150 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS100

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.

  • Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic SZ8

Nikon S6500
Panasonic SZ8
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic ZS100
Panasonic SZ8
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Nikon S6500
Samsung WB50F
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic ZS100
Samsung WB50F
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung WB35F

Nikon S6500
Samsung WB35F
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic ZS100
Samsung WB35F
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Nikon S6500
Sony RX100 VI
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VI
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Nikon S6500
Sony RX100 VII
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VII
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
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