Clicky

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Nikon P500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Newer Model is Nikon P510
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2012
Photography Glossary

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Nikon P500 versus Sony TX20, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the P500 (12MP) and TX20 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The P500 was brought out 12 months before the TX20 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the P500 scores versus the TX20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Sony TX20

 P500 TX20 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Nikon P500

 TX20 P500 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2011More modern by 12 months
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon P500 and Sony TX20

 P500 TX20 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon P500 features physical dimensions of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Sony TX20 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Nikon P500 versus Sony TX20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the P500 vs the TX20.

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P500 and TX20 is 67 and 96 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The picture here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the P500 and TX20.

Plainly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony TX20 to deliver greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged P500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Portrait photography camera
34
manual focus
includes face detect focusing
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition (494g)
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
environment proof
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Sports Comparison

Nikon P500 Sports photography highlights
Sony TX20 Sports photography highlights
36
great zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery power (250 shots)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon P500
Travel photography with Sony TX20
47
built-in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
long zoom (810mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (220 shots)
more heavy than competition (494g)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
72
better than average battery power (250 shots)
environment proof
boasts focus by touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Nikon P500 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Landscape photography camera
39
manual focus
reasonably wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
52
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proof
better than average battery power (250 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 Vlogging information
Sony TX20 Vlogging information
27
reasonably wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no microphone port
more heavy than competition (494g)
35
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing mic port
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Nikon P500 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P500 and Sony TX20
 Nikon Coolpix P500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix P500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2011-02-09 2012-02-28
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 160 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-810mm (35.2x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 494g (1.09 pounds) 133g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 pictures 250 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL5 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $399 $330