Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1
67 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


54 Imaging
74 Features
84 Overall
78
Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix P500 and Panasonic Lumix DC-S1. The full galleries are available at Nikon P500 Gallery and Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic S1
P500 | S1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Nikon P500
S1 | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2019 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 97 months |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 2100k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper display (+1179k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic S1
P500 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P500 | Panasonic 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 |