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Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Nikon P300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 189g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Launched May 2011
  • Successor is Nikon P310
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 2012
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Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Nikon P300 versus Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the P300 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The P300 was announced 13 months before the SZ5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the P300 scores versus the SZ5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P300 over the Panasonic SZ5

 P300 SZ5 
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon P300

 SZ5 P300 
IntroducedJuly 2012May 2011Fresher by 13 months

Common features in the Nikon P300 and Panasonic SZ5

 P300 SZ5 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon P300 offers exterior dimensions of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

See the Nikon P300 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the P300 versus the SZ5.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P300 and SZ5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading specifications. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the P300 and SZ5.

Plainly, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ5 to deliver more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older P300 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P300 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography information
27
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
33
resolution is good (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P300 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography details
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P300 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P300 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography info
63
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P300 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography details
43
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
42
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P300 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging details
36
really wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (136g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P300 and Panasonic SZ5
 Nikon Coolpix P300Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix P300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-05-31 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-100mm (4.2x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT-LCD with anti-reflection coating TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (15, 30, 60 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 189g (0.42 lb) 136g (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 240 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $500 $195