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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 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
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Below is a in depth overview of the Nikon B500 and Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The B500 was manufactured 5 years later than the FZ40 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the B500 matches up versus the FZ40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Panasonic FZ40

 B500 FZ40 
LaunchedFebruary 2016July 2010More recent by 69 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Nikon B500

 FZ40 B500 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Panasonic FZ40

 B500 FZ40 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon B500 has physical measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Check the Nikon B500 and Panasonic FZ40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the B500 vs the FZ40.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the B500 and FZ40 is 68 and 68 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The graphic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the B500 and FZ40.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon B500 to show more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent B500 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
37
megapixel count good (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
46
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography highlights
52
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition (541g)
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon B500 Sports photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography information
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 (600 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon B500
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
59
good battery (600 shots)
supports bluetooth
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
long zoom (900mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (541g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
54
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon B500
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
45
quite wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
good battery (600 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging details
27
quite wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
heavier than competition (541 grams)
23
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
heavier than average in class (494g)
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Panasonic FZ40
 Nikon Coolpix B500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix B500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-02-23 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-900mm (39.1x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.4 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 9.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 541 gr (1.19 pounds) 494 gr (1.09 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 600 photographs -
Battery style AA -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $300 $420