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Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Revealed February 2016
Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon S9500
  • Updated by Nikon S9900
Photography Glossary

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Nikon B500 versus Nikon S9700, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are produced by Nikon. The resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the S9700 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The B500 was launched 2 years after the S9700 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9700 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the B500 matches up versus the S9700 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Nikon S9700

 B500 S9700 
ReleasedFebruary 2016February 2014Newer by 25 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Nikon B500

 S9700 B500 

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Nikon S9700

 B500 S9700 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon B500 comes with outer measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9700 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon B500 versus Nikon S9700 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the B500 versus the S9700.

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the B500 and S9700 is 68 and 90 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the B500 and S9700.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you would want to take the age of the cameras into account. The newer B500 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S9700 as a Portrait photography camera
37
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
37
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 Street photography factors
Nikon S9700 Street photography factors
52
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than competitors (541g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (232g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S9700 as a Sports photography camera
51
excellent zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
good battery life (600 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
53
excellent zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon B500
Travel photography with Nikon S9700
59
good battery life (600 shots)
has bluetooth
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
very long reach (900mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (541g)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition (232 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (750mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S9700 as a Landscape photography camera
45
relatively wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
good battery life (600 per charge)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
45
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 Vlogging details
Nikon S9700 Vlogging details
27
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competitors (541g)
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (232g)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
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Nikon B500 vs Nikon S9700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Nikon S9700
 Nikon Coolpix B500Nikon Coolpix S9700
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix B500 Nikon Coolpix S9700
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-02-23 2014-02-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-900mm (39.1x) 25-750mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.7-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.4fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 6.00 m
Flash settings - TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 541 gr (1.19 lbs) 232 gr (0.51 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 600 images 300 images
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $350