Panasonic ZS100 vs Nikon D3400

Cameras
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Nikon D3400

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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3400 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3400 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3400.
Compare Nikon D3400 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3400 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS200
Compare ZS100 vs ZS200

Succeeded by the Nikon D3500
Compare D3400 vs D3500

Compare PANASONIC ZS200 vs NIKON D3500

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Differences

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Nikon D3400

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$398* vs $497
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
44 mm vs 75 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 0.20 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 5.1 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 5.1 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

Nikon D3400 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
D3400 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

1,192 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.
D3400 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 12.5 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

1200 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.57x 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

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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read ZS100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3400 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D3400

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm & 70-300mm Lenses (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)

All D3400 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.
SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.
Read our Nikon D3400 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Panasonic ZS100

Canon T6i

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Canon T6i

Nikon D3400

Canon T6i

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon T6i

Compared to Nikon D5500

Panasonic ZS100

Nikon D5500

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Olympus Stylus 1s

Panasonic ZS100

Olympus Stylus 1s

$498
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
1/1.7 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Olympus Stylus 1s

Nikon D3400

Olympus Stylus 1s

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Olympus Stylus 1s

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic ZS100

Canon SL2

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3400

Canon SL2

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon SL2

Compared to 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

Nikon D3400

Sony RX100 VI

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$949
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Sony RX100 VI

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