• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S9100 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    450 mm vs 288 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Nikon S9100

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $330 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 212g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Nikon S9100

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Buy the Panasonic SZ8
Panasonic SZ8

Review Excerpt

  • Backside-illuminated sensor for good low-light performance; Very long zoom; Good printed performance; Very fast autofocus.

  • Autofocus is not always reliable; Auto white balance renders skin tones a little red; Slow digital zoom.

  • Read our Nikon S9100 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax RZ18

Nikon S9100
Pentax RZ18
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Pentax RZ18

Panasonic SZ8
Pentax RZ18
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax RZ18

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Nikon S9100
Panasonic ZS15
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS15

Panasonic SZ8
Panasonic ZS15
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS15

Compared to Nikon S6400

Nikon S9100
Nikon S6400
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Canon SX280 HS

Nikon S9100
Canon SX280 HS
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic SZ8
Canon SX280 HS
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Canon SX280 HS

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Nikon S9100
Samsung WB50F
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung WB50F

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