Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS25: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small-Sensor Superzooms

Choosing the right superzoom camera can feel like a wild ride through a jungle of specs and marketing bravado - especially when models from well-established brands like Nikon and Panasonic compete for your attention. Today, I’ve spent a good chunk of time with two such contenders from the early 2010s: Nikon’s Coolpix P510 and Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-ZS25 (also known as the TZ35). Both cater to enthusiasts who crave big zoom ranges tucked into relatively compact bodies - but do they deliver equally in the field? Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of what makes each shine (and fumble) across various photographic genres, technical aspects, and real-world usability.

First Impressions and Handling: Bridge vs Compact

When you first pick these cameras up, their user experience roots become immediately apparent. The Nikon P510 adopts an SLR-like bridge design with chunky grip and a relatively hefty 555 grams - it feels solid and substantial in the hand, hinting at a camera meant to be held with purpose and some level of control. The Panasonic ZS25, by contrast, is more compact (105x59x28 mm) and significantly lighter at 193 grams, embracing the ultra-portable travel compact niche.

Ergonomically, the P510’s larger form allowed Nikon to pepper physical buttons and dials, which experienced shooters will appreciate when chasing subjects in dynamic environments. The Panasonic can’t quite match this - its streamlined, pared-back design prioritizes pocketability but sacrifices dedicated controls, making some manual tweaks a bit more fiddly.

See their layouts from a bird's eye perspective below - those extra dials and toggles on the Nikon P510’s top deck reflect its ambition for hands-on exposure control:

In essence, if you’re after grabbing a camera that feels like an extension of your hands during a shoot, the P510’s bridge-style body is a winner. But for those wanting a featherweight companion on the go (think city strolling or casual travel), the Panasonic ZS25’s discreet profile can’t be ignored.

Sensor and Image Quality: The (Small) Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share the same sensor footprint - a 1/2.3” sensor, typical for superzooms of this era - but the Nikon’s sensor edges out the Panasonic slightly with dimensions measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm vs. 6.08 x 4.56 mm on the ZS25. Resolution hovers around 16MP for both, but careful examination reveals practical differences in noise handling and dynamic range.

For what it’s worth, neither is going to rival APS-C or full-frame quality, but within their class, the P510's BSI-CMOS sensor paired with Nikon’s Expeed C2 processor delivers strong detail retention up to ISO 800, and surprisingly clean images at ISO 1600 (though noise does spike beyond that). The Panasonic's CMOS sensor is a little noisier at higher ISOs, exacerbated by its smaller buffer and weaker processor. It compensates somewhat by offering a higher max native ISO (6400 vs. 3200), but in real-world shooting, pushing that high ISO feels ambitious at best.

Dynamic range may sound like a buzzword, but for landscape and travel shooters seeking to preserve shadow details, the P510’s sensor outperforms slightly - capturing better contrast details in tricky lighting. Highlights tend to clip earlier on the ZS25, urging quicker exposure adjustments or post-processing work.

Both cameras, notably, lack RAW support, which is a dealbreaker for many pros and serious hobbyists craving maximum creative control - forcing you to shoot JPEGs with all compression and processing baked in.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking the Action

One area where the Panasonic ZS25 surprised me was in autofocus sophistication. Equipped with 23 focus points, including multi-area and center-weighted options, alongside touch-sensitive AF control on its screen (though no touchscreen per se), it offers more advanced area selection than the Nikon’s unspecified focus point count and simpler center-based AF.

The Nikon P510 relies on contrast-detection AF with face and eye detection - solid but arguably less dynamic for tracking rapid subjects. It struggles a bit under poor lighting but remains dependable for most snapshooting needs. Contrast this with the ZS25’s continuous autofocus and more aggressive burst shooting at 10 fps vs. the P510's 7 fps, making Panasonic’s offering better suited for fast-moving subjects like kids at play or fleeting street scenes.

Equivalence doesn’t end there though - the P510 features manual focus, helpful for macro and creative controls, whereas the ZS25 lacks a dedicated manual focus mode, which frustrated me when trying to nail critical focus on close subjects.

Lens and Zoom: The Superzoom Showdown

The heart of any superzoom camera is, naturally, its lens and zoom range. The Nikon P510 takes a bold leap with a 24–1000 mm (41.7x) equivalent zoom, shooting to the moon and back - literally, some builders referred to its telephoto reach as “astronomical” (pun intended). This very long reach is a boon for wildlife photographers, sports fans, or anyone needing extreme telephoto reach without switching lenses.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic ZS25 shoulders a more modest 24–480 mm (20x) zoom range - still respectable but much more pedestrian next to Nikon’s beast, better aligned with travel and street photographers who crave a versatile zoom without lugging a heavy unit.

A quick anecdote: I found myself reliably framing birds in flight on the P510 from considerable distances, something I couldn’t dream of doing on the Panasonic without creeping closer or cropping heavily later. But, with extended zoom comes some trade-offs - notably, variable maximum apertures get narrow fast on both (f/3.0–5.9 for Nikon, f/3.3–6.4 for Panasonic), so shooting at long focal lengths in dim light often demands higher ISO or a tripod.

Display and Interface: Bridging User Interaction

Both cameras sport 3-inch LCDs, but here the Nikon P510 pulls ahead with a higher-resolution tilt screen (921K dots) and an anti-reflective coating, granting easier viewing under bright daylight. The Panasonic ZS25’s fixed screen clocks in at only 460K dots and is less versatile when shooting at awkward angles, limiting its usefulness for low-to-the-ground macro shots or high-overhead framing.

Neither camera offers a touchscreen interface, which feels a little retrograde now but was typical for the launch timeframe. Yet notably, Panasonic integrates touch-AF within their interface, nudging usability just enough to compensate for the lack of a touchscreen.

Neither has an electronic viewfinder, but the Nikon does feature a basic EVF - not very high resolution, but welcome when composing in bright light or stabilizing the camera. The Panasonic opts out of a viewfinder entirely, demanding LCD usage at all times.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither model boasts weather sealing or ruggedization, which constrains outdoor usage in harsh environments. The sturdy bridge-style construction of the Nikon feels more durable and reassuring, though it is not marketed as weatherproof.

The Panasonic’s compact build feels less robust and more prone to wear from intensive use or rough handling. However, its diminutive size makes it an appealing companion for casual holiday snaps, street photography, or days when packing light wins.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Something you might gloss over but matters in the field is endurance: the Nikon P510 rates 200 shots per charge using the EN-EL5 battery pack, while the Panasonic surprises with a better 260 shots, despite its smaller frame. Real-world testing confirmed these numbers fairly closely, with the Panasonic eking out more frames per charge.

Storage-wise, both cameras take SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a single slot apiece - nothing fancy, but standard for this class. The Panasonic ZS25 includes a scant internal storage buffer, a boon if you forget your memory card (been there). The Nikon lacks internal storage entirely.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Functional

Video shooting isn’t the star event here, but it’s an important consideration in 2024 where many hybrid shooters demand strong video specs.

The Nikon P510 captures Full HD 1080p video at 15 and 30fps with MPEG-4 and H.264 encoding. The Panasonic ZS25 offers a similar 1080p recording but extends the frame rate up to 60fps, which allows smoother slow-motion capabilities in playback. Panasonic’s AVC HD codec arguably yields better compression performance, too.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks - so external audio gear use is limited or impossible, disappointing pros who want better sound control. Image stabilization helps video on both models, reducing handshakes for cleaner footage.

Connectivity and Extra Features

The Nikon P510 has built-in GPS for geotagging, a handy feature for travel and landscape shooters who like to map their shots. Panasonic ZS25 lacks GPS but boasts an Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfers - useful, but necessitates additional hardware.

Neither model supports Bluetooth, NFC, or contemporary Wi-Fi standards, meaning rapid mobile sharing or remote control is out of reach without workarounds.

Photography Genre Performance: Where Does Each Shine?

Let’s take a nuanced tour of how these cameras tackle specific photography niches and demands.

Portrait Photography

The Nikon’s greater sensor sensitivity and superior autofocus face/eye detection facilitate better rendering of skin tones and sharper eyes, especially hand-held in natural light. Its longer zoom lets you isolate subjects and force nice bokeh at longer focal lengths - within the lens design limitations of course.

Panasonic’s lesser ISO performance and lack of eye detection AF make portraits trickier in dimmer conditions, but its lighter, discreet form might suit street portraiture better when blending in.

Landscape Photography

With its wider zoom coverage, better dynamic range, and tilting higher-res LCD, the Nikon P510 provides more robust tools for landscapes. While RAW absence limits post-processing latitude, good exposure metering and bracketing options allow HDR merges.

The Panasonic’s smaller zoom range limits framing flexibility in nature shots, and its lower screen resolution complicates view-finding in bright environments.

Wildlife Photography

Unsurprisingly, the Nikon’s massively extended 1000mm reach and respectable burst mode make it the ideal choice for wildlife enthusiasts on a budget.

The Panasonic’s 480mm max zoom halves that, which may mean missing distant action or resorting to cropping - losing image fidelity.

Sports Photography

Here the Panasonic’s faster 10fps burst and continuous AF help track subjects in motion better than Nikon’s 7fps with fixed AF. However, the P510’s longer lens length at 1000mm can isolate subjects more effectively if you’re positioned far from the field.

Low-light sports might still challenge both despite respective ISO abilities.

Street Photography

For urban explorations, Panasonic’s discreet compact size and quick autofocus give it the edge - you can be unobtrusive and capture candid moments faster.

The Nikon’s bulk and loud zoom mechanics might draw unwanted attention, plus its slower autofocus can hamper spontaneous shots.

Macro Photography

Both offer macro focusing close-ups: 2cm for Nikon, 3cm for Panasonic. Nikon’s manual focus helps nail precise focus here, a plus for close-ups where autofocus can struggle.

Panasonic’s fixed screen limits angle adjustment, hindering composition comfort.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither camera excels at nightscapes or astro, with small sensors and limited ISO capabilities. The Nikon’s slightly better low-light noise characteristics push it marginally ahead. Long exposures up to 30 secs are supported on both, which is useful.

Video Production

Panasonic’s 1080p/60fps mode and touch AF edges it for casual videography, though pros will likely want more robust codecs and manual controls.

The Nikon’s 1080p/30fps is adequate but less flexible. Neither have professional audio inputs.

Travel Photography

Panasonic’s compact size, lightweight body, and longer battery life make it an excellent travel companion - easy to pack, quick to use, and versatile.

The Nikon’s superior zoom makes it useful for travel where you need everything from landscapes to wildlife, but the bulk and heavier battery life might wear on extended trips.

Professional Use

Neither camera really fits the professional workflow mold due to the lack of RAW, robust build, or advanced connectivity. However, Nikon’s better ergonomics and controls make it less frustrating for semi-pros needing a superzoom backup.

Pricing, Value and Verdict

Nikon P510 front Nikon P510 screen back Panasonic ZS25 front Panasonic ZS25 screen back

When new, the Nikon P510 wasn’t exactly bargain-basement territory at $600, while the Panasonic ZS25 came in around half that price near $300. Considering their specifications and real-world performance, this premium partly buys the Nikon’s extended zoom reach, sturdier body, and stronger sensor performance.

But the Panasonic offers excellent value for casual shooters wanting a lightweight, competent zoom with faster autofocus and better burst rates.

Summing Up: Which Camera Fits You Best?

If you demand the longest zoom reach possible in a bridge camera, with superior handling and image quality for nature, wildlife, or travel, the Nikon P510 remains a compelling choice - even by today’s standards. Its versatile controls and built-in GPS add to its allure for enthusiasts who prefer a more tactile experience. Just be ready to carry its bulk and accept the limitations of a small sensor.

If lightness, portability, and speed - autofocus and shooting rates - matter more, especially for street, casual travel, or fast candid shots, the Panasonic ZS25 ticks those boxes elegantly and at a lower price. Its smaller zoom isn’t a dealbreaker for those who don’t need super-telephoto reach. The trade-off is reduced image quality at higher ISOs and fewer manual focus options.

Final thought: While both cameras hail from a previous era of superzoom development, their distinct personalities and strengths ensure you can find a use case matching your style - whether hunting eagles from afar or darting through city streets with nimble reflexes. Knowing your priorities makes all the difference.

If you’re hungry for next-level superzooms today, also consider current iterations from Nikon, Panasonic, or Sony that bring larger sensors, 4K video, and smarter autofocus. But as budget-conscious complements or backups, the P510 and ZS25 hold their own with charming quirks and specific photography niches conquered.

Happy shooting!