Nikon D5300 vs Panasonic ZS100

Cameras
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Nikon D5300 vs Panasonic ZS100

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5300.
Compare Nikon D5300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5300 conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS100 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic ZS100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the ZS100.
Compare Panasonic ZS100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic ZS100 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS200
Compare ZS100 vs ZS200

Compare NIKON D5500 vs PANASONIC ZS200

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Differences

Nikon D5300 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 2.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

1,338 vs 559 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 12.5 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

600 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.55x vs 0.46x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Nikon D5300

Less expensive
$398* vs $697
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Thinner
44 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
14 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 D5300 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read ZS100 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-140mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.
AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.
Read our Nikon D5300 Review

Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.
Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.
Read our Panasonic ZS100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7100

Panasonic ZS100

Nikon D7100

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$810
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3

Panasonic ZS100

Pentax K-3

$498
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

Panasonic ZS100

Canon T6s

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Nikon D5300

Sony RX100 VI

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$949
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VI

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$949
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VI

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Nikon D5300

Sony RX100 VII

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1298
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VII

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$1298
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VII

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