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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 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
  • Introduced February 2016
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the B500 (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The B500 was launched 5 years after the ZS5 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the B500 scores versus the ZS5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Panasonic ZS5

 B500 ZS5 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016June 2010Newer by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Nikon B500

 ZS5 B500 

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS5

 B500 ZS5 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and volume. The Nikon B500 offers outside dimensions of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the B500 against the ZS5.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the B500 and ZS5 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over specs. The picture below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the B500 and ZS5.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon B500 to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger B500 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
37
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography advice
52
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (541 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon B500
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
51
incredible zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
good battery pack (600 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon B500
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
59
good battery pack (600 shots)
has bluetooth
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
great reach (900mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (541g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than others (214 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography highlights
45
pretty wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good battery pack (600 shots)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
27
pretty wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
heavier than competition in class (541 grams)
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others (214 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS5
 Nikon Coolpix B500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix B500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-02-23 2010-06-16
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-900mm (39.1x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.4 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 5.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 541 gr (1.19 pounds) 214 gr (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Battery format AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $300 $300