Nikon Coolpix P100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

Choosing the right superzoom bridge camera often boils down to balancing zoom reach, image quality, ergonomics, and video features - while knowing exactly what photography you want to pursue. Today, I’m taking a close look at two strong contenders from the small sensor superzoom category: the 2010-era Nikon Coolpix P100 and its 2013 successor-in-spirit, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70. While these two share the bridge camera class and compact-sensor DNA, their approaches to sensor technology, autofocus, zoom capability, and handling bring some notable contrasts.

Having handled thousands of cameras over 15+ years, I’ve put both models through a variety of usage scenarios - from casual portraits and wildlife spots to demanding macro exploration and travel photography. Let’s dive into the nuts and bolts, comparing how each machine succeeds (or stumbles) in areas that matter most to serious photography enthusiasts.

Size, Feel, and Controls: The Physical User Experience

The moment you pick up a bridge camera like either the Nikon P100 or Panasonic FZ70, its size, weight, and ergonomics determine much about daily usability. Neither is pocket-sized, but designed more like petites SLRs with fixed superzoom lenses.

At approximately 114 x 83 x 99 mm and tipping the scales at 481 g, the Nikon P100 feels relatively compact and lighter than the Panasonic FZ70, which measures 130 x 97 x 118 mm and weighs 606 g. That 125-gram difference might seem subtle - until you’re hiking with the gear or hand-holding for extended periods. The P100’s smaller footprint lends better portability and less wrist strain, albeit sitting just under the 0.5 kg mark.

Handling both, the P100 impresses with its slightly deeper grip and comfortably positioned shutter button, which aids stability while shooting at long zooms. The FZ70 trades some of that handling grace for a more substantial feel, reinforcing its “professional hobbyist” personality.

The control layout also influences daily workflow. The Nikon P100 opts for a clean top-deck arrangement, avoiding clutter.

Panasonic’s FZ70, meanwhile, packs a more feature-rich control deck, though some buttons feel cramped given the added thickness and width. For users who favor physical dials and quick-access controls, the P100 may feel more intuitive; photographers who want granular exposure control might appreciate the FZ70’s functional abundance after an initial learning curve.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Technical Precision

At the core of any camera’s imaging potential lies its sensor. Both P100 and FZ70 utilize the standard 1/2.3” type sensor, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a sensor area of 28.07 mm². However, their pixel counts diverge: Nikon’s 10-megapixel sensor contrasts with Panasonic’s more detailed 16-megapixel chip.

From a user standpoint, the 16 MP advantage provides higher resolution images for cropping and large prints, assuming noise control holds up. This resolution edge plays distinctly into landscape and travel photography where fine detail retrieval matters.

Technically, despite sharing sensor size, the Nikon P100 uses an Expeed C2 processor paired with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, promising solid low-light sensitivity for its generation. The Panasonic FZ70’s CMOS sensor partnered with the Venus Engine, however, pushes performance further with native ISO starting at 100 (vs Nikon’s 80) and boostable up to ISO 6400 (Nikon tops at 3200 ISO with no boosted mode).

Image quality analysis reveals the FZ70 retains detail better at higher ISOs, with cleaner shadows and less aggressive noise reduction - appealing for astrophotography and night scenes. The P100’s images, while clean and well-balanced, exhibit pronounced noise beyond ISO 800, affecting low-light usability.

Color depth and dynamic range favored the Panasonic too, backed by DxOMark scores: color depth 19.4 bits and dynamic range near 10.8 EV against the Nikon’s “not tested” but predictable baseline. The fact Nikon’s P100 lacks RAW support also limits post-processing flexibility, a disadvantage for professionals demanding precise workflow control and editing latitude.

Stunning Display and Viewfinder Systems

Viewing composition and reviewing images are critical to a rewarding photography experience. Both models feature 3-inch screens with 460k-dot resolution, but their types and articulations differ importantly.

The Nikon’s tilting screen grants crucial flexibility for low- or high-angle shots - ideal for street, macro, and creative framing. In contrast, the Panasonic carries a fixed TFT LCD, sturdy but restricting positional versatility.

Looking through the eyepiece, the Panasonic gains an added edge with a 202k-dot electronic viewfinder offering true-to-frame coverage and eye detection autofocus support. The Nikon P100’s electronic viewfinder is less specified but generally less bright and usable under bright conditions.

In practice, I found the FZ70’s EVF invaluable for wildlife or sports moments in bright daylight, where glare makes rear screens challenging to see. The P100 is not unusable but leans more on the LCD - its tilt somewhat mitigating this.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking – The Fast and The Reasonable

Autofocus systems are one of the most technically demanding features, especially in superzoom cameras where lens complexity can limit speed and precision.

The Nikon P100 operates an exclusively contrast-detection AF with only single AF mode, no face or eye detection, and no continuous autofocus tracking. This means you generally lock focus once, then shoot - ideal for static subjects such as landscapes or staged portraits, but frustrating for action or erratic wildlife.

Panasonic’s FZ70 improves markedly here, boasting 23 focus points, center-weighted and multi-area autofocus, and continuous AF tracking with face detection. This blend elevates responsiveness for moving targets, from toddlers running in the park to birds on the wing.

Both cameras use manual focus if you prefer the direct control, but the Panasonic’s superior AF layout with selectable points and tracking gave me more keeper shots during rapid bursts and clarifying autofocus in complex scenes.

Zoom Capability: How Far Can You Get?

One crucial reason buyers gravitate to bridge superzoom cameras is their extreme focal ranges.

The Nikon P100 sports a 26–678 mm equivalent zoom lens (26.1x optical zoom) with a constant wide aperture from f/2.8 tapering to f/5.0 at telephoto. The Panasonic FZ70 ups the ante with a generous 20–1200 mm (60x zoom), starting at f/2.8 but narrowing to f/5.9 at the longest end.

This difference is meaningful:

• Panasonic’s reach is almost double, enabling extreme wildlife or sports framing without additional glass.
• Nikon’s lens starts slightly narrower wide-angle (26 mm vs 20 mm) but has a slightly brighter maximum aperture at long telephoto, beneficial in dimmer lighting or for shallower depth-of-field effects.

With longer focal lengths especially, camera shake can degrade images, making stabilization essential. Nikon uses sensor-shift image stabilization, while Panasonic relies on optical stabilization. Both perform effectively, but the FZ70’s optical design tends to yield less shaking in the viewfinder and permits sharper hand-held shots at extreme zoom.

Real-World Photography: A Picture Paints a Thousand Tests

Theory is one thing; practical output another. Let’s examine actual imagery from both cameras:

Nikon P100 front Nikon P100 screen back Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back

Portraits: The Nikon’s f/2.8 aperture and relatively simpler AF sometimes result in softer bokeh and less precise eye focus, especially with moving subjects. FZ70’s improved autofocus with face detection and extra resolution provides more consistent facial detail and pleasant background separation under favorable lighting - though neither will rival an APS-C or full-frame camera in bokeh quality.

Landscapes: The FZ70’s higher resolution sensor and broader dynamic range retain more detail in shadows and highlights. Nikon’s 10 MP sensor still yields sharp images for web or small prints, but lacking RAW processing makes highlight management tougher in challenging light.

Wildlife & Sports: Panasonic’s faster continuous AF and 9 fps burst mode nearly match Nikon’s 10 fps, though the FZ70’s autofocus tracking and longer lens make it better suited to fast-moving subjects. Nikon users will find patience and static scenes rewardable but will struggle with action sequences.

Street Photography: The smaller, lighter Nikon feels more discreet, aiding street photographers who value portability and quick subtle framing. Panasonic’s larger body and lengthy lens can be a hurdle in crowds or tight spaces.

Macro Work: Both cameras feature a close focusing distance of 1 cm, but Nikon’s sensor-shift stabilization helps for crystal-clear handheld macro shots, particularly close-up flowers and insects. Panasonic’s lens reaches closer zoom macro shots but requires more steady hands or a tripod.

Night & Astrophotography: Panasonic’s sensor and high ISO performance clearly take the lead here. The FZ70’s expanded ISO range and cleaner noise handling enabled sharper night skies and star points. Nikon’s top ISO 3200 is workable but grainier.

Video: Both cameras shoot 1080p HD video, but the Panasonic supports 50i/60i interlaced modes with MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats for better filming flexibility. Nikon limits to 30 fps and lacks external microphone input, constraining serious videographers. Neither offers 4K or advanced video codecs.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Usability Bricks

The Panasonic FZ70 offers rated battery life of approximately 400 shots, comfortably outpacing the Nikon P100’s unspecified but generally shorter EN-EL5 battery endurance - a known limitation of Nikon’s line here.

Storage-wise, both take a single SD/SDHC card slot; however, the Panasonic expands compatibility to SDXC cards for larger capacities - a plus for high-res image sequences or video clips.

Connectivity is spartan: no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC on either. Both provide HDMI outputs and USB 2.0 interfaces for file transfers. In 2024, this lack of wireless features limits quick social sharing and remote control.

Durability and Build: Weather Resistance and Reliability

Neither camera is weather-sealed, dust-proof, or built for rugged conditions. The bridge camera class here prioritizes affordability and zoom range over robust environmental protection. Users looking to work in harsh conditions should consider adding protective cases or seek higher-end alternatives.

Pricing and Value: What Does Your Dollar Buy?

With both priced under the $400 mark at launch, these cameras cater to budget-conscious users wanting a single versatile camera with long zoom.

• The Nikon P100 historically retailed near $400 but appears less available new.
• The Panasonic FZ70 debuted around $300, delivering arguably more value through higher resolution, longer zoom, and enhanced autofocus.

When considering price-to-performance, I recommend the FZ70 for those who want maximum feature set with moderate investment. Nikon’s P100 will appeal to users prioritizing lighter weight and simpler handling who can tolerate older sensor tech.

How They Rate Across Photography Genres

Drawing on comprehensive testing and scoring, here’s a comparative snapshot of their performance across major photography categories:

• Portraits: FZ70 leads with face detection AF and sharper detail.
• Landscape: FZ70 favored for resolution and dynamic range.
• Wildlife: FZ70 dominates given zoom and AF tracking.
• Sports: Again, FZ70’s autofocus and burst rate shine.
• Street: Nikon edges slightly for discretion.
• Macro: Nikon favored for stabilization nearly matches FZ70.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s sensor delivers cleaner results.
• Video: Panasonic more flexible.
• Travel: Nikon’s lighter body suits portability but FZ70 has more versatility.
• Professional Use: Neither replaces pro-grade interchangeable lens systems but Panasonic’s RAW support is a plus.

Final Scores and Summary

The tables below synthesize key performance metrics to offer a bird’s-eye view:

Nikon Coolpix P100 Summary:

• Pros: Lighter weight, tilting LCD, faster shutter (up to 1/2000s), smooth continuous shooting, sensor-shift stabilization.
• Cons: Older 10 MP sensor, no RAW support, poor low-light performance, simple autofocus system, no wireless connectivity.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 Summary:

• Pros: Higher-resolution sensor, longer 60x zoom, superior autofocus with face detection, RAW support, better low-light and video capabilities.
• Cons: Bulkier and heavier, fixed LCD, shorter maximum aperture at telephoto, no wireless features.

Who Should Choose Which?

• Enthusiast Travelers and Casual Photographers: The Nikon P100 appeals with its lighter size, easy controls, and versatile f/2.8 aperture lens. Great for daylight portraits, landscapes, and casual wildlife viewing.

• Budget Enthusiasts and Wildlife Hobbyists: The Panasonic FZ70’s longer zoom, robust autofocus, and higher resolution make it the standout for users focused on action, nature, or who want video capabilities with a bit more flexibility.

• Photography Students and Entry-Level Users: Panasonic’s RAW support enhances learning post-production techniques; Nikon stays simpler but limited.

• Vintage or Legacy Users: Nikon’s 2010 tech may feel outdated but offers a straightforward bridge experience.

Closing Thoughts

In sum, these two small sensor superzoom cameras reflect different eras and priorities: Nikon’s P100, with its lighter, simpler design and tilting screen, works well as a lightweight all-rounder. Panasonic’s FZ70 pushes the boundaries with a huge 60x zoom and significantly improved autofocus system, image quality, and video features - accounting for the three-year development gap.

I’ve found the FZ70 better suited to more dedicated shooters needing camera-speed, resolution, and long reach, while the P100 appeals to those valuing ease of use, portability, and a more forgiving lens aperture.

Both cameras hold nostalgic charm in today’s mirrorless and smartphone-dominated market but still provide solid value in their price segment. Your choice should reflect your shooting style, subject preferences, and ergonomics needs for the best fit.

If you want to explore the full specs side by side, here’s a quick reference:

For photographers seeking a capable, all-in-one “do-it-all” zoom kit around $300-$400, the Panasonic FZ70 comes emphatically recommended thanks to its overall superior imaging, autofocus versatility, and feature set. The Nikon P100 remains an intriguing option if you prize smaller size, a tilt screen, and somewhat faster shutter speed in good light.

I hope this comparative inspection sheds light on the practical usability and technical nuances between these two popular bridge cameras. If you have questions about any particular shooting scenario or want advice on alternatives, I’m here to share the insights from years behind the camera - not just on paper, but in the wild.

Thanks for reading!

[Image credits: size-comparison.jpg, top-view-compare.jpg, sensor-size-compare.jpg, back-screen.jpg, cameras-galley.jpg, camera-scores.jpg, photography-type-cameras-scores.jpg]