• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS15 advantages over Nikon S9700

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon S9700 advantages over Panasonic ZS15

  • 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 384 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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 ZS15

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S9700

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS15
Panasonic ZS10
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZS10
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic ZS15
Panasonic ZS8
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
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

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS15
Panasonic ZS19
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon S9700
Panasonic ZS19
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony WX500

Panasonic ZS15
Sony WX500
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Faster shutter
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
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

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic ZS15
Sony HX90V
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon S9700
Sony HX90V
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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