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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Announced February 2016
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Nikon B500 and Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The B500 was revealed 2 years after the SZ8 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the B500 scores versus the SZ8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Panasonic SZ8

 B500 SZ8 
IntroducedFebruary 2016January 2014More modern by 26 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon B500

 SZ8 B500 

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Panasonic SZ8

 B500 SZ8 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon B500 provides exterior measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Nikon B500 and Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the B500 and the SZ8.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the B500 and SZ8 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The image below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the B500 and SZ8.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of images although you may want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent B500 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
37
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
52
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (541 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon B500 Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography information
51
excellent zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
great battery pack (600 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
59
great battery pack (600 shots)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
great reach (900mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (541g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography advice
45
pretty wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
great battery pack (600 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
42
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon B500
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
27
pretty wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic support
heavier than competition (541g)
32
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix B500Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix B500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-23 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-900mm (39.1x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.4 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 5.20 m
Flash modes - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 541 grams (1.19 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 200 shots
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $300 $275