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Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Released February 2016
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
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Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The B500 was introduced 20 months after the XG-1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the B500 scores against the XG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Pentax XG-1

 B500 XG-1 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2014Newer by 20 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Nikon B500

 XG-1 B500 
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Pentax XG-1

 B500 XG-1 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon B500 provides physical 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 Pentax XG-1 has specifications of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Look at the Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the B500 versus the XG-1.

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the B500 and XG-1 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The picture below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the B500 and XG-1.

All in all, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution so you should expect similar quality of pictures but you have to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher B500 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
37
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
40
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon B500 Street photography info
Pentax XG-1 Street photography info
52
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (541 grams)
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
51
excellent zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
great battery power (600 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography info
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
59
great battery power (600 CIPA)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
very long zoom (900mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (541g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
52
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (567 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 Landscape photography details
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography details
45
relatively wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
great battery power (600 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
45
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
27
relatively wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing mic support
heavier than competition in class (541 grams)
25
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
heavier than competitors in class (567g)
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Nikon B500 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Pentax XG-1
 Nikon Coolpix B500Pentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix B500 Pentax XG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-02-23 2014-07-15
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-900mm (39.1x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.4 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 6.00 m
Flash settings - Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 541g (1.19 lbs) 567g (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 images
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA LB-060
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $300 $599