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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 front
Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
45
Overall
39

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon P510
Panasonic FZ47
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 498g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ48
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic FZ47, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the P500 (12MP) and the FZ47 (12MP) is very close and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The P500 was announced 5 months earlier than the FZ47 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the P500 scores versus the FZ47 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic FZ47

 P500 FZ47 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ47 over the Nikon P500

 FZ47 P500 

Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic FZ47

 P500 FZ47 
IntroducedFebruary 2011July 2011Same generation
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon P500 offers exterior 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 FZ47 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 498 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic FZ47 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the P500 compared to the FZ47.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the P500 and FZ47 is 67 and 68 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the P500 and FZ47.

As you can see, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP so you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you may want to consider the release date of the cameras into account.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 sensor size comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P500 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FZ47 Portrait photography information
34
you can focus manually
offers face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
38
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
features face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ47 as a Street photography camera
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average in class (494g)
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition (498g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P500 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ47 Sports photography advice
36
incredible zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
slow fps (4.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ47 as a Travel photography camera
47
has built in flash
decently wide (23mm)
long zoom (810mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
52
better than average battery life (400 shots)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (498 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P500 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FZ47 Landscape photography features
39
you can focus manually
decently wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
43
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ47 Vlogging factors
27
decently wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than average in class (494g)
27
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (498 grams)
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic FZ47 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P500 and Panasonic FZ47
 Nikon Coolpix P500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FZ48
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-02-09 2011-07-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Venus Engine FHD
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-810mm (35.2x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
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
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494g (1.09 pounds) 498g (1.10 pounds)
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 photographs 400 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $399 $379