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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Nikon P500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Successor is Nikon P510
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the P500 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The P500 was launched 7 months after the FZ40 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the P500 grades versus the FZ40 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic FZ40

 P500 FZ40 
IntroducedFebruary 2011July 2010More modern by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Nikon P500

 FZ40 P500 

Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic FZ40

 P500 FZ40 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P500 provides physical measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic FZ40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the P500 versus the FZ40.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the P500 and FZ40 is 67 and 68 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The pic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the P500 and FZ40.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Panasonic FZ40 to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher P500 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P500 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography info
34
manual focus
offers face detection focusing
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
45
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon P500 Street photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competitors (494g)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P500 Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography info
36
incredible zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P500 Travel photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography info
47
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
very long zoom (810mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery (220 per charge)
more heavy than competitors (494g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
54
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (494g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
38
manual focus
quite wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery (220 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
51
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging details
26
quite wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (494 grams)
22
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
heavier than competitors in class (494g)
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P500 and Panasonic FZ40
 Nikon Coolpix P500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-09 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine HD II
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-810mm (35.2x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.00 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 grams (1.09 lbs) 494 grams (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL5 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $399 $420