Nikon Coolpix L820 vs Nikon Coolpix P510: The Ultimate Bridge Camera Showdown

When it comes to bridge cameras, Nikon’s Coolpix series has long been a favorite for enthusiasts looking for an all-in-one solution without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. Today, I put the Nikon Coolpix L820 and Nikon Coolpix P510 head to head - two small-sensor superzoom cameras launched in the early 2010s but catering to slightly different needs within that category.

Having spent weeks testing both models across a broad spectrum of photography disciplines - from landscape to wildlife, macro to video - I bring you hands-on insights based on real-world performance, technical mastery, and value-driven analysis. Whether you're hunting your first superzoom or seeking a reliable travel companion, this comprehensive comparison will help you decide which camera deserves a spot in your gear bag.

First Impressions: Handling and Ergonomics

In the realm of bridge cameras, size and ergonomics matter. The Nikon L820 and P510 share an SLR-style body design, but their differences manifest immediately in handling.

Physical Dimensions and Weight

• Nikon L820: Compact at 111x76x85mm, weighing 470 grams. It uses AA batteries, which can be convenient on the road.
• Nikon P510: Larger and heavier at 120x83x102mm and 555 grams, powered by a proprietary EN-EL5 battery pack.

From my experience, the L820’s smaller footprint makes it easier to handle for prolonged sessions or casual street photography. The P510’s bigger frame offers a more substantial grip, which some photographers might prefer for steady telephoto shooting, albeit at the expense of portability.

The weight difference of approximately 85 grams might not sound like much, but when carrying a camera all day, that extra heft is noticeable.

Control Layout and Build

Both cameras aim at enthusiasts with some desire for manual control, but the P510 offers more extensive options.

• The L820 features a simpler button layout without dedicated manual control dials.
• The P510 sports a more traditional top plate with dedicated exposure compensation, shooting mode dials, and a tilting 3-inch screen.

Here’s a closer look at the top view design highlighting their control approaches:

In use, I found the L820 better suited to casual photographers or beginners who prefer point-and-shoot simplicity without getting overwhelmed. Meanwhile, the P510 caters to more advanced users comfortable with adjusting shutter speed, aperture, and ISO on the fly, a significant advantage for creative control.

Summary: The L820 excels in lightweight, straightforward ergonomics - great for casual use or travel. The P510 wins for those craving manual exposure modes and a more versatile, professional-feeling interface.

Sensor and Image Quality: Beyond Pixel Counts

Both cameras house a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels resolution - fairly typical for small sensor bridge cameras of their era.

Although the sensors are nearly identical in size and resolution, subtle factors can influence image outcome.

Raw Support and Image Processing

• Nikon L820: No raw capture support, limiting post-processing flexibility.
• Nikon P510: Also lacks raw file output but has a more advanced Expeed C2 processor aiding better noise management and color rendering.

The absence of raw could be a dealbreaker for photographers who want to tweak exposures, white balance, or noise reduction rigorously in post. However, JPEG quality out of the P510 tends to be superior, owing to its more capable processor.

Dynamic Range and ISO Performance

In my lab tests and real-world shoots under challenging light, neither camera invalidated the limitations of a small sensor:

• Dynamic range is modest, with shadows and highlights clipping more quickly than larger sensor cameras.
• Native ISO tops out at 3200, but expect noticeable noise past ISO 800, particularly on the L820 due to lack of advanced noise reduction.

The P510’s Expeed processor does provide denoising benefits at high ISO compared to the L820. Consequently, night photography or interiors with dim lighting yield cleaner results on the P510.

Lens Specifications Impacting Image Quality

• L820: 23-675mm equivalent (30x zoom) with max aperture f/3.0-5.8
• P510: 24-1000mm equivalent (41.7x zoom) with max aperture f/3.0-5.9

While both lenses are versatile, the P510’s impressively long reach can be transformative for wildlife or sports, albeit with some sharpness loss at the extreme telephoto end, which is common with high zoom ranges.

Viewing Experience: LCD and Viewfinder Benefits

An often-undervalued aspect when choosing a bridge camera is how you frame your shots.

LCD Screens

• Both cameras sport 3-inch, 921k-dot screens.
• The P510’s screen tilts, which aids shooting from low or high angles - a fantastic practical touch.
• L820’s screen is fixed, with no touch or tilt capabilities.

For creative compositions and comfortable framing in varied conditions, the P510’s tilting LCD is a commendable advantage.

Viewfinder Presence

• L820: No viewfinder - you are restricted to composing through the LCD.
• P510: Includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

I personally found the EVF on the P510 crude compared to modern cameras, but in bright daylight, it is invaluable where LCD screens can be hard to see.

Bottom line: For outdoor, action, or street use, the P510’s EVF and tilting screen provide more versatile framing options. The L820 remains a simpler, screen-only system without these extra tools.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

Capturing fast-moving subjects is a strong suit for many bridge cameras, and here again, the P510 outperforms the L820 in several ways.

Autofocus System

• L820: Offers no phase detect, contrast detect, face detection, or tracking autofocus. You’re limited to a basic autofocus system with no manual focus option.
• P510: Features contrast detection autofocus with face detection, center weighted and multi-area autofocus modes, and continuous autofocus tracking.

During tests in bright and low light, the P510’s AF system locked onto faces and moving subjects more reliably and quickly. The L820 felt sluggish and imprecise, making it unsuitable for demanding wildlife or sports photography.

Burst Shooting

• L820: 8 fps continuous shooting - impressive on paper, but limited by the autofocus and buffer.
• P510: 7 fps, slightly slower but paired with better AF tracking capabilities.

If you need to photograph action, the P510’s well-rounded autofocus and good frame rate provide a better chance of sharp continuous shots.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

Video is a critical component in evaluating modern cameras, even bridge models.

• Nikon L820: Full HD 1080p video at 30fps only. No microphone jack, no stabilization.
• Nikon P510: 1080p at 15 and 30fps, along with 720p at 60fps and slower 480p at 120fps for slow motion. Has optical image stabilization for smoother handheld footage. No mic input.

While neither camera offers advanced video features, the P510’s higher frame rate options and stabilization make it a better choice for casual videography. Lack of external mic support limits professional user appeal.

Specialty Photography and Use Cases

Let’s explore how each camera fares across popular photography genres:

Portrait Photography

• P510 edges ahead with face detection autofocus and manual exposure control, enabling better skin tone rendering and focus precision.
• L820 lacks AF face detection and manual modes, limiting creative control.
• Both struggle with shallow depth of field inherent to small sensors, so bokeh is limited.

Winner: P510 for portraits due to smarter AF and controls.

Landscape Photography

• Both have 16MP sensors but struggle with dynamic range.
• Neither is weather sealed - a downside for outdoor landscapes.
• P510’s tilting screen helps shooting from tricky angles.
• Both lenses have respectable zoom ranges but lenses prioritize reach over ultimate sharpness.

Winner: Slight edge to P510 considering operational versatility.

Wildlife Photography

• P510’s 41.7x zoom and continuous AF tracking are decisive.
• L820’s max zoom 30x and slower AF are less effective.
• Both benefit from tripod use for sharp telephoto images.

Winner: P510 hands down.

Sports Photography

• Speed and AF tracking are key; P510’s better AF and decent 7fps burst outperform L820’s 8fps with subpar AF.
• P510’s faster max shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) lets you freeze fast action more effectively.

Winner: P510.

Street Photography

• Smaller size and weight favor L820 for discreet shooting.
• P510’s EVF can be a plus but adds bulk.
• L820’s lack of AF face detection may limit candid capture focus speed.

Winner: Lean towards L820 for portability; P510 if manual controls and EVF are priorities.

Macro Photography

• P510 offers macro focusing down to 2cm.
• L820 no specified macro range.
• P510’s manual focus possible; L820 does not support manual focus.

Winner: P510 offers more specialized options.

Night and Astrophotography

• Both suffer limits due to small sensors and maximum ISO.
• P510’s stabilization and processing help attain cleaner images in low light.
• Neither supports long exposure modes or raw files.

Winner: P510 edges ahead.

Travel Photography

• L820’s lighter weight and AA battery compatibility are practical on long trips.
• P510’s greater zoom flexibility and manual control suit diverse environments.
• Battery life favors L820.

Winner: It depends on travel style, but L820 is good lightweight backup; P510 offers versatile creative potential.

Professional Work

Neither camera is aimed at professional usage - both lack raw support, weather sealing, and advanced workflow integrations.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras share plastic, non-weather sealed bodies typical of consumer bridge cameras. Expect moderate durability but no ruggedness.

Battery Life and Storage

• L820: Uses 4 AA batteries, rated for 320 shots per charge. Advantageous in places without charger access.
• P510: Proprietary EN-EL5 battery, rated at 200 shots. Longer recharge times and risk of running dry without spares.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot.

Connectivity and Extras

• L820: No wireless or GPS.
• P510: Built-in GPS and Eye-Fi SD card compatibility for wireless image transfer.
• P510 also includes HDMI output, absent on L820.

Nikon L820 front Nikon L820 screen back Nikon P510 front Nikon P510 screen back

Examining image samples reveals the P510’s advantage in edge sharpness and detail retrieval in varied lighting. L820 images appear slightly softer, especially at longer zooms.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

• L820: Retailing around $190, a budget-friendly superzoom.
• P510: Around $600, commanding a premium for features.

Given what they offer, the P510’s higher cost aligns with its expanded controls, lens reach, and advanced AF. I found the L820 a competent entry-level option when price is a key constraint.

Who Should Choose the Nikon L820?

• Photographers new to superzooms seeking a simple interface.
• Those prioritizing lighter weight and AA battery convenience.
• Casual shooters focused on portraits, travel, or street use without manual controls.
• Buyers on limited budgets needing reliable 30x zoom stills and modest video.

Who Should Invest in the Nikon P510?

• Enthusiasts wanting manual control over exposure settings.
• Wildlife and sports photographers needing extra zoom reach and AF tracking.
• Videographers after optical stabilization and varied frame rate settings.
• Photographers valuing EVF and tilting LCD for compositional flexibility.
• Those who appreciate built-in GPS and connectivity features.

Testing Methodology Notes

My evaluation involved indoor and outdoor shootouts over various light levels, shooting handheld and on tripods, using each camera’s full zoom range. Autofocus speed was timed on multiple subjects, including moving animals and sports scenes. Video samples were recorded in different modes to assess stabilization and clarity. All images were processed from JPEG originals at factory settings to reflect real-world user experience.

Final Verdict

The Nikon Coolpix L820 and P510 are both capable bridge cameras, but their design philosophies differ sharply.

• The L820 excels in ease of use, portability, and battery convenience, appealing to casual photographers and travelers on a budget.
• The P510 stands out as a feature-rich, versatile tool for enthusiasts who want substantial manual control, extensive zoom, better autofocus, and multimedia options.

Between the two, I recommend the P510 for most users seeking serious superzoom performance and creative control. The L820 remains a commendable entry-level choice where price, simplicity, and portability are paramount.

By aligning your priorities against these clear strengths and limitations, you can confidently select the camera that best suits your photographic journey.

By providing this balanced, practical overview grounded in experience, I hope you find your next Nikon bridge camera with clarity and confidence. Happy shooting!