Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7
67 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


91 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34
Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 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
- Launched February 2011
- Later Model is Nikon P510
(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

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").

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.

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix P500 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. The complete galleries are available at Nikon P500 Gallery & Panasonic ZS7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Panasonic ZS7
P500 | ZS7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | July 2011 | Similar age |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P500 | Panasonic 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 |