Nikon D5100 vs Panasonic ZS60

Cameras
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Nikon D5100 vs Panasonic ZS60

APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5100.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
18.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS60 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5200
Compare D5100 vs D5200

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS70
Compare ZS60 vs ZS70

Compare NIKON D5200 vs PANASONIC ZS70

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Differences

Nikon D5100 advantages over Panasonic ZS60

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

660 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.52x vs 0.46x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 60 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS60 advantages over Nikon D5100

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
38 mm vs 79 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
8 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read ZS60 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5100

Body Only

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Buy the Panasonic ZS60

Panasonic ZS60 (Black)

Panasonic ZS60 (Black)
Panasonic ZS60 (Silver)

Review Excerpt

Side-mounted tilt / swivel LCD screen; same sensor and processing as the Nikon D7000; good speed and battery life; in-camera HDR and filter effects; Full HD video capture with aperture control; audio levels control and external microphone jack.
AF-S lens mount doesn't offer autofocus with screw-drive lenses; popup flash isn't the greatest; no built-in wireless flash control; HDR function doesn't microalign source images.
Read our Nikon D5100 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Panasonic ZS60.
Read our Panasonic ZS60 Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon D5100

Sony A55

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$734
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A55

Panasonic ZS60

Sony A55

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D5100

Sony A33

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$540
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A33

Panasonic ZS60

Sony A33

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A33

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D5100

Sony A57

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony A57

Panasonic ZS60

Sony A57

$448
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A57

Compared to Canon SX710 HS

Nikon D5100

Canon SX710 HS

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$329
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Canon SX710 HS

Panasonic ZS60

Canon SX710 HS

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Panasonic ZS60 vs Canon SX710 HS

Compared to Nikon A900

Nikon D5100

Nikon A900

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$397
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D5100 vs Nikon A900

Panasonic ZS60

Nikon A900

$448
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Slower slow-motion

$397
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
NFC

Compare Panasonic ZS60 vs Nikon A900

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