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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
74
Features
84
Overall
78

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Nikon P500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Refreshed by Nikon P510
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the P500 (12MP) and S1 (24MP) and the P500 (1/2.3") and S1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

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The P500 was revealed 9 years before the S1 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the P500 grades against the S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic S1

 P500 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Nikon P500

 S1 P500 
LaunchedFebruary 2019February 2011More modern by 97 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k921kCrisper display (+1179k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic S1

 P500 S1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon P500 has physical dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Panasonic S1 has proportions of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") and a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

See the Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the P500 and the S1.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the P500 and S1 is 67 and 54 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over technical specs. The picture below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the P500 and S1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The P500 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic S1 will offer greater detail because of its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged P500 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P500 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography factors
34
has manual focus
comes with face detect focus
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
84
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320s)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
70
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features touch focus
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P500 Sports photography information
Panasonic S1 Sports photography information
36
long zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
75
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
low battery pack (380 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
47
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
long reach (810mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (220 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
59
weather sealing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
good MP (24MP)
low battery pack (380 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,021g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
38
has manual focus
quite wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery pack (220 shots)
no Timelapse recording
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
low battery pack (380 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 Vlogging information
Panasonic S1 Vlogging information
26
quite wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
32
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P500 and Panasonic S1
 Nikon Coolpix P500Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix P500 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-09 2019-02-01
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 225
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Leica L
Lens focal range 23-810mm (35.2x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 30
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 2,100 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/320s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lb) 1021 gr (2.25 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 95
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.5
DXO Low light score not tested 3333
Other
Battery life 220 images 380 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL5 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots One 2
Pricing at release $399 $2,498