• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S9500 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Slower slow-motion
    3015 fps vs 220 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S9500
Nikon S9500
All S9500 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very long zoom lens; Full HD video; Great grip; Built-in GPS; HDR and Handheld Night Shot modes.

  • Poor image quality due to excessive noise suppression; Flash too close to the grip; No GPS logging; Battery only charges in the camera; Limited touchscreen.

  • Read our Panasonic ZS20 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS10
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS10

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS10
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS8
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS8

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS8
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS19

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS19
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS30
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS30

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS30
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS30

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS25
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS25

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