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Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500

Portability
72
Imaging
40
Features
28
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon L810
  • Replacement is Nikon L830
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Old Model is Sony WX350
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Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Nikon L820 and Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L820 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the L820 matches up versus the WX500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Sony WX500

 L820 WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Nikon L820

 WX500 L820 
IntroducedApril 2015January 2013More modern by 26 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Sony WX500

 L820 WX500 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L820 features external measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") having a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L820 and Sony WX500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the L820 compared to the WX500.

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L820 and WX500 is 72 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The picture below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L820 and WX500.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony WX500 to deliver extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged L820 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L820 Portrait photography details
Sony WX500 Portrait photography details
30
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
39
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L820 Street photography factors
Sony WX500 Street photography factors
38
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition (470g)
69
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Sports photography camera
36
incredible zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L820
Travel photography with Sony WX500
56
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (23mm)
long reach (675mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (470g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 Landscape photography advice
Sony WX500 Landscape photography advice
36
rather wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
49
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
great battery pack (360 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX500 as a Vlogging camera
24
rather wide (23mm)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition (470 grams)
35
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Nikon L820 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Sony WX500
 Nikon Coolpix L820Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L820 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-29 2015-04-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-675mm (29.3x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 470 gr (1.04 lb) 236 gr (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 320 images 360 images
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $192 $348