Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500
67 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


91 Imaging
43 Features
56 Overall
48
Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced February 2011
- Later Model is Nikon P510
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Revealed April 2015
- Old Model is Sony WX350

Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500 Overview
Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Nikon P500 versus Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the P500 (12MP) and WX500 (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The P500 was brought out 5 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon P500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.
Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the P500 scores versus the WX500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix P500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The entire galleries are available at Nikon P500 Gallery and Sony WX500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Sony WX500
P500 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Nikon P500
WX500 | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2015 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 50 months |
Common features in the Nikon P500 and Sony WX500
P500 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon P500 comes with outer measurements of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon P500 versus Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the P500 vs the WX500.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P500 and WX500 is 67 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The image below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the P500 and WX500.
All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony WX500 to offer extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged P500 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P500 vs Sony WX500 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix P500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-02-09 | 2015-04-14 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | Bionz X |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 18MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 23-810mm (35.2x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.7 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 8.00 m | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 494 grams (1.09 pounds) | 236 grams (0.52 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
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 | 360 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL5 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $399 | $348 |