Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10
67 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


93 Imaging
40 Features
34 Overall
37
Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Key Specs
(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
- Announced February 2011
- New Model is Nikon P510
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
- Announced January 2015

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Overview
Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic SZ10, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the P500 (12MP) and SZ10 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The P500 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the SZ10 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera.
Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the P500 scores versus the SZ10 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix P500 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10. The full galleries are provided at Nikon P500 Gallery and Panasonic SZ10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic SZ10
P500 | SZ10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Nikon P500
SZ10 | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 47 months |
Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic SZ10
P500 | SZ10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P500 has got exterior measurements 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 SZ10 has dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check the Nikon P500 versus Panasonic SZ10 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the P500 vs the SZ10.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P500 and SZ10 is 67 and 93 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the P500 and SZ10.
As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ10 to render extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged P500 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P500 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix P500 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-02-09 | 2015-01-06 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 23-810mm (35.2x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-5.7 | f/3.1-6.3 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 921k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8s | 8s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.4 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 8.00 m | 5.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
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 | 494 gr (1.09 lb) | 177 gr (0.39 lb) |
Dimensions | 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") | 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
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 photographs | 200 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $399 | $200 |