• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Nikon S9700

  • 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 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon S9700 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 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 telephoto lens reach
    750 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S9700
Nikon S9700

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 S9700
Panasonic ZS10
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S9700 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 S9700
Panasonic ZS8
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S9700 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 S9700
Panasonic ZS19
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Sony WX500

Panasonic ZS20
Sony WX500
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony WX500

Nikon S9700
Sony WX500
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Sony WX500

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic ZS20
Sony HX90V
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer exposure
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony HX90V

Nikon S9700
Sony HX90V
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX90V

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