Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100
67 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


67 Imaging
36 Features
62 Overall
46
Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 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
- Successor is Nikon P510
(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

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").

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.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix P500 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon P500 Gallery & Panasonic FZ100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic FZ100
P500 | FZ100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 7 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Nikon P500
FZ100 | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic FZ100
P500 | FZ100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P500 | Panasonic 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 |