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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 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
  • Successor is Nikon P510
Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ200
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic FZ100, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the P500 (12MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The P500 was launched 7 months after the FZ100 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the P500 matches up versus the FZ100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic FZ100

 P500 FZ100 
ReleasedFebruary 2011July 2010Newer by 7 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Nikon P500

 FZ100 P500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic FZ100

 P500 FZ100 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon P500 features outer dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ100 has proportions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic FZ100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the P500 vs the FZ100.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the P500 and FZ100 is 67 and 67 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The pic here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the P500 and FZ100.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic FZ100 to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger P500 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 sensor size comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P500 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography factors
34
manual focus
includes face detection focusing
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
53
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ100 as a Street photography camera
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others (494g)
58
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P500 Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography info
36
long zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P500 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography factors
47
has built in flash
really wide (23mm)
very long reach (810mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
heavier than others (494g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (540g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P500
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ100
38
manual focus
really wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
51
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 Vlogging info
Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging info
26
really wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than others (494 grams)
64
decently wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone jack
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition (540g)
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P500 and Panasonic FZ100
 Nikon Coolpix P500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix P500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-02-09 2010-07-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-810mm (35.2x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.00 m 9.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494g (1.09 pounds) 540g (1.19 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 220 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL5 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $399 $500