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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Later Model is Nikon P510
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS8
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Nikon P500 and Panasonic ZS7, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the P500 (12MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The P500 was launched 5 months prior to the ZS7 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon P500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the P500 grades vs the ZS7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic ZS7

 P500 ZS7 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Nikon P500

 ZS7 P500 

Common features in the Nikon P500 and Panasonic ZS7

 P500 ZS7 
ReleasedFebruary 2011July 2011Similar age
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon P500 comes with physical 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 ZS7 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Compare the Nikon P500 and Panasonic ZS7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the P500 and the ZS7.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P500 and ZS7 is 67 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The image below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the P500 and ZS7.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of photographs though you would want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P500 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography advice
34
manual focus
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon P500
Street photography with Panasonic ZS7
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than average in class (494g)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P500 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography factors
36
long zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Travel photography camera
47
flash built-in
quite wide (23mm)
great reach (810mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery (220 shots)
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
63
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P500 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography highlights
38
manual focus
quite wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
38
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Vlogging camera
26
quite wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P500 and Panasonic ZS7
 Nikon Coolpix P500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix P500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-09 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine HD II
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-810mm (35.2x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494g (1.09 lb) 218g (0.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Battery format 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 One One
Launch cost $399 $350