Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5
92 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix P300 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon P300 Gallery and Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P300 over the Panasonic SZ5
P300 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon P300
SZ5 | P300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2012 | ![]() | May 2011 | Fresher by 13 months |
Common features in the Nikon P300 and Panasonic SZ5
P300 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P300 | Panasonic 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 |