Nikon Coolpix B500 vs Olympus Stylus 1: A Hands-On Small-Sensor Superzoom Shootout

When it comes to versatile bridge cameras, two contenders launched in the 2010s have captivated many enthusiasts looking for a compact package that delivers significant zoom reach and a manageable feature set. The Nikon Coolpix B500 arrived in early 2016 offering an impressive 40x zoom, generous battery life, and user-friendly controls at an accessible price point. A few years earlier, the Olympus Stylus 1 entered the scene with a zippy 10.7x zoom but sporting a brighter f/2.8 constant aperture lens, raw shooting capability, and a more sophisticated electronic viewfinder.

In this article, I will take you through their detailed differences based on extensive real-world usage and bench testing. We'll explore key photography disciplines from portraits to wildlife, evaluate ergonomics and image quality through sensory analysis, and assess which camera is best suited to specific types of photographers and workflows.

Let’s dive into the nuanced comparison.

Size, Handling & Physical Design: What’s It Like in Your Hands?

Both cameras share an SLR-like bridge camera design harking back to traditional DSLR ergonomics, but their handling philosophies diverge notably.

Looking side-by-side, the Nikon B500 is chunkier and heavier (541g versus Olympus’s 402g). It measures 114 x 78 x 95 mm, compared to the Olympus’s sleeker 116 x 87 x 57 mm. The latter’s thinner profile (57 mm depth) and lighter weight make it far easier to carry around all day, especially on travel or street outings where size and discretion become paramount.

The B500 feels slightly more substantial in hand with its deeper grip, which lends confidence for long telephoto shooting using the 40x zoom. However, its bulk becomes evident during prolonged handheld work or walking. The Olympus’s smaller grip is less pronounced but adequately ergonomic due to its slim and balanced chassis.

Topology-wise, Olympus boasts a more traditional button and dial layout with visible aperture and shutter speed dials that enable quick manual exposure adjustments. Nikon, targeting less technical users, opts for a simplified button layout with most exposure functions buried inside menus - no dedicated aperture priority or shutter priority modes here, only a manual exposure mode with limited flexibility.

The Olympus’s inclusion of touchscreen operation versus Nikon’s simpler tilt-only 3-inch, non-touch LCD further cements its appeal for users who prefer intuitive, faster control during live view shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixels, Cleanliness, and Dynamic Range

Image quality often hinges on sensor performance, and that’s where these two cameras, despite similar “small sensor” labels, differ substantially.

The Nikon B500 sports a 1/2.3-inch, 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor - very common among superzooms but limiting compared to larger sensors in more advanced compacts. It maxes out at ISO 3200 with no option for raw capture, lock in JPG output only. Dynamic range information isn’t available from DxOMark because it hasn’t been tested, but we know from experience that this sensor size and crop factor (5.8x) generally deliver modest results in highlights and shadows.

The Olympus Stylus 1 features a physically larger 1/1.7-inch 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor with a notable advantage in dynamic range (rated 11.6 EV) and superior color depth (20.7 bits DxO) as per DxOMark scores. Its max ISO extends to 12,800, while still maintaining usable noise levels up to ISO 800–1600, thanks to the cleaner sensor and advanced TruePic VI processor.

In practical terms, the Olympus’s sensor handles subtle tonal transitions and reduced noise better, making it a stronger candidate for landscape and low-light photography. The Nikon’s 16MP sensor provides higher resolution but at the expense of more pronounced noise, especially brightening shadows.

LCD, Viewfinder, and Usability Interface

Viewfinders often define user experience, particularly in bright conditions or fast-paced shooting.

The Nikon B500 does not have any viewfinder - a major omission if you rely on eye-level composition - but compensates with a 3-inch tilting LCD at 921k dots. However, it is non-touch, and the tilting mechanism is somewhat limited, which can make shooting from awkward angles slightly rigid.

Olympus adds a crisp 1440k dots electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, proving indispensable in bright outdoor settings or fast-moving scenarios. Its 3-inch 1040k dot touchscreen LCD further enhances focus selection and menu navigation.

While Nikon aims at casual users comfortable with LCD-only framing, Olympus appeals to enthusiasts wanting precise composition tools and direct, tactile control.

Autofocus, Speed, and Burst Shooting

For wildlife, sports, or any subject where action matters, autofocus and burst capabilities are critical.

Nikon employs contrast-detect AF only, with face detection and object tracking aided but not sophisticated. Focus speed is adequate but noticeably slower when zoomed to extremes, and low light slows acquisition considerably. Continuous shooting tops at a respectable 7.4 fps, though buffer depth caps performance in longer bursts.

Olympus introduces a 25-point contrast-detect AF system, touch AF, face detection, and continuous tracking with admirable accuracy. While phase detection is absent, the focusing system feels snappier and more reliable in various light conditions. Olympus’s continuous rate maxes at 7 fps, closely matching Nikon, but better AF responsiveness makes the burst mode more usable for action.

Neither camera is truly built for professional sports shooters, but Olympus narrowly edges out Nikon for wildlife and spontaneous street candid moments based on AF consistency.

Lens and Zoom: Reach Versus Aperture

Both are superzooms but designed with distinct philosophies.

The Nikon B500 features an astounding 23-900mm equivalent zoom (40x optical zoom) with a variable aperture range of f/3.0-6.5. This massive telephoto reach is ideal for birdwatchers or casual wildlife shooters who don’t want to invest in expensive telephoto lenses.

Conversely, Olympus’s 28-300mm (10.7x zoom) is shorter but sports a constant, bright f/2.8 aperture through most of the zoom. This provides great low light capability, better bokeh for portraits, and sharper images thanks to reduced diffraction at wider apertures.

If zoom reach is your top priority - say, for distant subjects - Nikon is your clear winner. For optical quality and wider apertures that benefit portraiture and general low-light shooting, Olympus excels.

Image Stabilization and Low Light Performance

Both cameras integrate optical image stabilization to combat hand shake, essential given long zoom lengths and small sensor noise challenges.

I found the Nikon’s optical stabilization effective up to roughly 1/60s at full zoom, helping handheld shooting in dim light but not miraculous for night or astro photography due to sensor noise limits.

Olympus has a similar optical stabilization system but benefits more from the faster lens aperture and superior sensor sensitivity. This combination allows cleaner handheld works in darker conditions and acceptable images at higher ISOs.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh Quality

Portrait photographers crave accurate skin tones, smooth bokeh, and intelligent autofocus (usually face or eye detection).

Nikon offers face detection AF and a modest bokeh effect at wide open apertures up to 23mm equivalent focal length, but the small sensor size inherently limits shallow depth of field. Skin tones are decent for casual snapshots but lack the nuanced rendition seen in larger sensor cameras.

Olympus, with its brighter lens, produces creamier backgrounds and smoother tonal transitions. Face detection is more refined, and although it lacks dedicated eye AF, accurate AF center point and touch focus compensate well.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Here, sensor size and raw shooting come into play.

Olympus lets users shoot raw, enabling post-processing magic to extract shadows and maintain highlight details - a boon for landscape photographers. The larger sensor with better dynamic range empowers users to capture more natural and detailed scenes, especially in challenging high-contrast lighting.

Nikon’s JPEGS can be serviceable with good light and if rapid sharing is your goal, but the inability to shoot raw, combined with the smaller sensor and strong sharpening, limits editing flexibility and overall image quality for purist landscape work.

Wildlife and Sports: AF Tracking and Frame Rates

In action photography, speed and focus accuracy matter most.

Although the Nikon B500 touts a higher continuous shooting speed (7.4fps vs Olympus’s 7fps), the Olympus’s AF system is noticeably faster in acquiring moving subjects and maintaining lock during bursts. Nikon’s extensive zoom range is helpful to isolate distant animals, but its lagging focus more often causes missed moments.

Neither is a professional-grade sports camera but in real-world tests, Olympus better preserves sharpness and subject tracking continuity.

Street and Travel Photography: Portability and Discretion

Here, size, noise operation, and quick reaction time weigh heavily.

Olympus’s compact, lighter body with fully-tilting, touch-enabled LCD lends itself well to street photography, allowing discrete framing and fast AF. The electronic viewfinder aids in composition without drawing attention, even in bright daylight.

Nikon’s bulk and lack of viewfinder make it less street-friendly, but for travelers prioritizing long zoom reach over form factor, the B500 remains compelling.

Macro and Close-up Shots

Macro capabilities differ primarily due to minimum focusing distances and lens aperture.

The Nikon B500 can focus as close as 1cm in macro mode, impressive for a bridge camera, and combined with its long zoom, offers creative framing possibilities. Its small sensor means greater depth of field in macro, but less subject isolation.

Olympus’s minimum focus of 5cm is less aggressive, but the brighter lens allows more artistic background blur and better fine detail rendition.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Modes

Neither camera is designed explicitly for astrophotography, but low-light usability varies.

Olympus shines with its top native ISO 12,800 and clean output up to ISO 1600, coupled with manual exposure and shutter priority modes plus raw support - essential for night sky captures and post-processing.

Nikon caps out at ISO 3200 and lacks raw support or silent shutter, limiting night shooting finesse.

Video Capabilities: Specifications and Usability

Both deliver full 1080p HD video, but with differences.

Nikon offers 1080p at 60i/50i and 30p/25p with MPEG-4/H.264 encoding. No microphone port means no external audio recording, and the lack of 4K or advanced frame rates puts it in the entry-level video category.

Olympus records 1080p at 30p plus high-speed slow motion (up to 240fps at reduced resolution). It also lacks mic/headphone ports but gives a bit more video creative options.

Neither replaces flagship mirrorless or DSLR video, but Olympus’s more featured approach will satisfy casual videographers.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage

The Nikon B500 uses four AA batteries with an impressive official rating of 600 shots per charge - ideal for travel with readily available power sources or battery swaps on the go.

Olympus relies on a proprietary rechargeable battery (BLS-5) with about 410 shots per charge. More limited but typical for compact packs. Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Connectivity-wise, both have built-in Wi-Fi, with Nikon adding Bluetooth where Olympus does not. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports are standard on both.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera features rugged environmental sealing - no dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof ratings. The Olympus’s smaller and more compact body can feel more solid in hand, but expect careful handling in demanding environments.

Price and Value Considerations

At launch, Nikon undercuts Olympus significantly: the B500 around $300 versus Olympus 1 near $700. This difference reflects the Olympus’s more advanced sensor, optics, EVF, and manual control features. For budget-conscious photographers craving simplicity and long zoom reach, Nikon is attractive.

For enthusiasts valuing image quality, manual control, and a finer lens, Olympus remains compelling despite price premium.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Deserves Your Money?

Nikon B500 front Nikon B500 screen back Olympus 1 front Olympus 1 screen back

Our real-world and lab tests reinforce these conclusions:

• Nikon Coolpix B500 is a user-friendly, long-zoom bridge camera that appeals to casual wildlife and travel shooters who want great zoom reach and extremely long battery life without fuss. It lacks manual exposure flexibility, raw support, and a viewfinder but compensates with simplicity and affordability.

• Olympus Stylus 1 goes after enthusiasts who want more image quality, better manual control, a bright lens, and an electronic viewfinder in a compact bridge body. It excels at portraits, landscapes, and street photography, while still offering reasonable zoom and solid burst performance. Price is higher, but value reflects quality.

Who Should Choose Nikon B500?

• Beginners or casual photographers focused on wildlife or travel
• Those needing the longest zoom range in a simple package
• Users wanting AA batteries for convenience abroad
• Budget shoppers prioritizing ease over advanced features

Who Should Opt for Olympus Stylus 1?

• Enthusiasts wanting more creative control, raw shooting, and video options
• Portrait and street photographers valuing sharpness and color fidelity
• Those favoring portability and electronic viewfinder usage
• Photographers needing reasonably fast autofocus and manual exposure modes

In closing, both cameras offer unique strengths in the small-sensor superzoom category. Your priorities - whether maximal zoom and simplicity or image quality and control - will dictate the better fit.

Picking one is less about absolute superiority and more about matching tool to your photographic style. Hopefully, this detailed breakdown helps illuminate exactly which bridge camera will serve as your creative companion.

Happy shooting!