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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • New Model is Nikon P510
Panasonic SZ10
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic SZ10

 P500 SZ10 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Nikon P500

 SZ10 P500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015February 2011More modern by 47 months

Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic SZ10

 P500 SZ10 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 size comparison

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

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P500 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography information
34
focusing manually
features face detect autofocus
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P500 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ10 Street photography factors
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (494g)
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (177 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P500 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ10 Sports photography factors
36
long zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.4 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon P500
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ10
47
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
long reach (810mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (220 per charge)
heavier than competition (494 grams)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
67
lighter than average in class (177g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P500 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography info
38
focusing manually
quite wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery (200 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon P500
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ10
26
quite wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition (494g)
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (177 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic SZ10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P500 and Panasonic SZ10
 Nikon Coolpix P500Panasonic 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