Nikon D7200 vs Panasonic S1H

The Nikon D7200 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in March 2015 and May 2019. The D7200 is a DSLR, while the S1H is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D7200) and a full frame (S1H) sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Nikon D7200		Panasonic S1H
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses		Leica L mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		24 MP, Full Frame Sensor
1080/60p Video		6K/30p Video
ISO 100-25600 (100-102400)		ISO 100-51200 (50-204800)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)
3.2" LCD, 1229k dots		3.2" LCD, 2330k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
6 shutter flaps per second		9 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
1110 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
136 x 107 x 76 mm, 765 g		151 x 114 x 110 mm, 1052 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D7200 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D7200 and the Panasonic S1H is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic S1H is notably larger (18 percent) than the Nikon D7200. Moreover, the S1H is substantially heavier (38 percent) than the D7200. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the D7200 gets 1110 shots out of its EN-EL15 battery, while the S1H can take 400 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLJ31 power pack. The power pack in the S1H can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Nikon D7200»	5.4 in	4.2 in	3.0 in	27.0 oz	1110	Y	Mar 2015	1,199	-		Nikon D7200
	Panasonic S1H«	5.9 in	4.5 in	4.3 in	37.1 oz	400	Y	May 2019	3,999			Panasonic S1H
	Canon 80D« »	5.5 in	4.1 in	3.1 in	25.8 oz	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199	-		Canon 80D
	Nikon D7500« »	5.4 in	4.1 in	2.9 in	25.4 oz	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Nikon D500« »	5.8 in	4.5 in	3.2 in	30.3 oz	1240	Y	Jan 2016	1,999			Nikon D500
	Nikon D750« »	5.6 in	4.4 in	3.1 in	26.5 oz	1230	Y	Sep 2014	2,299			Nikon D750
	Nikon D3300« »	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.2 oz	700	n	Jan 2014	499	-		Nikon D3300
	Nikon D7100« »	5.4 in	4.2 in	3.0 in	27.0 oz	950	Y	Feb 2013	1,199	-		Nikon D7100
	Nikon D7000« »	5.2 in	4.1 in	3.0 in	27.5 oz	1050	Y	Sep 2010	1,499	-		Nikon D7000
	Nikon D90« »	5.2 in	4.1 in	3.0 in	24.8 oz	850	n	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Nikon D90
	Panasonic S1« »	5.9 in	4.3 in	3.8 in	35.9 oz	400	Y	Feb 2019	2,499			Panasonic S1
	Panasonic S1R« »	5.9 in	4.3 in	3.8 in	35.8 oz	380	Y	Feb 2019	3,699			Panasonic S1R
	Pentax K-1 II« »	5.4 in	4.3 in	3.4 in	35.6 oz	670	Y	Feb 2018	1,999			Pentax K-1 II
	Pentax K-3 II« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	28.2 oz	720	Y	Apr 2015	1,099			Pentax K-3 II
	Sigma fp« »	4.4 in	2.8 in	1.8 in	14.9 oz	..	Y	Jul 2019	..			Sigma fp
	Sony A7 III« »	5.0 in	3.8 in	2.9 in	22.9 oz	610	Y	Feb 2018	1,999			Sony A7 III
	Sony A6300« »	4.7 in	2.6 in	1.9 in	14.3 oz	400	Y	Feb 2016	999	-		Sony A6300
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The D7200 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 70 percent) than the S1H, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D7200 features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic S1H a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the S1H is 131 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

Even though the S1H has a larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 24 megapixels. This implies that the S1H has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 3.91μm for the D7200), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. In addition, the S1H is much more recent (by 4 years and 2 months) than the D7200, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D7200 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Unlike the D7200, the S1H has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (96MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Nikon D7200 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the S1H provides a better video resolution than the D7200. It can shoot movie footage at 6K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the S1H has an electronic viewfinder (5760k dots), while the D7200 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the S1H has a higher magnification than the one of the D7200 (0.78x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D7200 and Panasonic S1H in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D7200 has one, while the S1H does not. While the built-in flash of the D7200 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the S1H is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon D7200 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D7200 and the S1H write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. The S1H supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the D7200 can use UHS-I cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D7200 and Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Panasonic S1H (unlike the D7200) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The S1H is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic. In contrast, the D7200 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D7200 was succeeded by the Nikon D7500. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Nikon and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D7200 and the Panasonic S1H? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Nikon D7200:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (136x107mm vs 151x114mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 287g or 27 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1110 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (70 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in March 2015).

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (6K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.63x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2330k vs 1229k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
• More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 2 months of technical progress since the D7200 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the S1H is the clear winner of the contest (23 : 10 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D7200 and the Panasonic S1H place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D7200 or the S1H perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Nikon D7200»	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2015	1,199	-		Nikon D7200
	Panasonic S1H«	-	-	-	-	-	May 2019	3,999			Panasonic S1H
	Canon 80D« »	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199	-		Canon 80D
	Nikon D7500« »	+ +	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299			Nikon D7500
	Nikon D500« »	+ +	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	1,999			Nikon D500
	Nikon D750« »	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	2,299			Nikon D750
	Nikon D3300« »	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	499	-		Nikon D3300
	Nikon D7100« »	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2013	1,199	-		Nikon D7100
	Nikon D7000« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	1,499	-		Nikon D7000
	Nikon D90« »	+ +	+ +	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Nikon D90
	Panasonic S1« »	+ +	88/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Feb 2019	2,499			Panasonic S1
	Panasonic S1R« »	-	89/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Feb 2019	3,699			Panasonic S1R
	Pentax K-1 II« »	-	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2018	1,999			Pentax K-1 II
	Pentax K-3 II« »	-	-	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2015	1,099			Pentax K-3 II
	Sigma fp« »	-	-	-	-	-	Jul 2019	..			Sigma fp
	Sony A7 III« »	+ +	89/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2018	1,999			Sony A7 III
	Sony A6300« »	+	85/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2016	999	-		Sony A6300
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (-) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Nikon D7200 vs Panasonic S1H

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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