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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 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
  • Announced February 2016
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS8
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the B500 (16MP) and ZS7 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The B500 was brought out 4 years after the ZS7 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the B500 matches up vs the ZS7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Panasonic ZS7

 B500 ZS7 
LaunchedFebruary 2016July 2011More modern by 56 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Nikon B500

 ZS7 B500 

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS7

 B500 ZS7 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon B500 enjoys physical measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS7 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the B500 and the ZS7.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the B500 and ZS7 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the B500 and ZS7.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon B500 to offer you more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger B500 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography info
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon B500
Street photography with Panasonic ZS7
52
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others in class (541g)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon B500
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS7
51
excellent zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery (600 shots)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS7 Travel photography advice
59
better than average battery (600 CIPA)
supports bluetooth
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
great zoom (900mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (541 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography info
45
fairly wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
better than average battery (600 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
38
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon B500
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS7
27
fairly wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (541g)
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS7
 Nikon Coolpix B500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix B500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-23 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-900mm (39.1x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.4 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 5.30 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 541 gr (1.19 lb) 218 gr (0.48 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 pictures -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $300 $350