Nikon Coolpix P510 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera: A Detailed Showdown for the Small Sensor Superzoom Enthusiast

Choosing a compact superzoom camera can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of specs, marketing hype, and personal needs. Today, I’m diving into a head-to-head comparison between two intriguing members of this category - the Nikon Coolpix P510 and the Samsung Galaxy Camera. Both promise versatile zoom ranges and portability, but which stands out in real-world use for enthusiasts and professionals looking for a reliable secondary or even primary travel camera?

Having extensively tested cameras in the small sensor superzoom segment (and many beyond), I’ll share hands-on insights, practical examples, and balanced critique - so you get the full story from someone who’s actually pressed the shutter thousands of times. Buckle up for a 2500-word exploration across photo genres, features, and everyday ergonomics!

Design and Ergonomics: Bridge vs. Ultra-Compact

At first glance, the Nikon P510 wears the classic SLR-like bridge camera outfit - chunky and substantial, while the Samsung Galaxy Camera opts for a slim, compact profile, more like a chunky point-and-shoot with a giant screen.

The P510 measures roughly 120x83x102 mm and weighs in around 555 grams. Its heft and grip promise comfort during prolonged shooting - a vital plus for travel or fieldwork, where steady handling translates directly to sharper images. It features a tilting 3-inch, 921k-dot TFT LCD with anti-reflective coating and a small but usable electronic viewfinder (albeit without detailed specs). The dedicated shooting controls, including a zoom rocker, exposure compensation dial, and customizable buttons, place essential settings within easy reach.

By contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Camera is markedly lighter at 300 grams and much thinner at 129x71x19 mm, sporting a colossal 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch Display (922k-dot resolution). The touchscreen dominates interaction, with no viewfinder at all - so it’s entirely reliant on live preview. This sleekness makes it very pocketable, especially for casual street photography or travel, but it sacrifices some handling rigidity and physical button feedback in the process.

Zoom controls on the Galaxy are simplified, relying more on the touchscreen interface. Manual focus is available, but navigating it without tactile dials takes more patience. The P510’s physical layout arguably beats the Galaxy for photographers who prefer direct control over settings without tapping endlessly.

For those who appreciate tactile feedback and a substantial grip, the P510 holds the edge; for minimalists craving a camera-with-a-screen that won’t weigh down the day, the Galaxy Camera shines.

Sensor and Image Quality: Identical 16MP BSI-CMOS Under the Hood

One fascinating surprise is that both cameras utilize the same sensor size - a 1/2.3 inch BSI-CMOS chip with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm, delivering 16 megapixels (4608x3456 resolution). This sensor really defines their common ground: modest imaging capabilities suiting compact-focused superzooms rather than full-frame aficionados.

Both include the standard anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré, and despite similar resolutions and sensor tech, image quality varies based on processing and optics.

Nikon’s Expeed C2 processor (an incremental evolution in Nikon’s compact line) handles image processing, generally yielding punchy colors and decent noise control given the sensor’s size but struggles above ISO 800. The Galaxy uses a quad-core 1.4 GHz processor - obviously borrowed from the smartphone realm - to handle not only imaging but also its Android-based smart features. While this allows some computational enhancement, it doesn't radically improve image quality; noise and color fidelity fall in line with typical 1/2.3" limitations.

When shooting RAW? Neither supports RAW capture - important for pros wanting nuanced post-processing flexibility. File outputs are JPEG-only, so expect baked-in sharpening and noise reduction.

Overall, the sensor size constrains ultimate quality, especially in low light and dynamic range, but both perform on par for compact superzooms of their era.

The Zoom Factor: How Far and How Well?

If zoom range is your bread and butter, Nikon P510 is an obvious front-runner with an immense 24-1000mm (41.7x optical zoom) range. This monster allows shooting wide landscapes to distant wildlife with the same camera - a clear advantage for adventurers and sports shooters needing reach flexibility.

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera offers a 23-481mm (20.9x optical zoom), still impressive but roughly half the telephoto reach. The Galaxy’s brighter aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 vs. Nikon’s f/3.0) might help in low light and shallow depth-of-field effects, but at the tele end, both cameras tighten to about f/5.9.

Optical image stabilization is present on both - critical for handheld shots at long zooms, where tiny shakes can ruin photos. Nikon’s dual detector VR system delivers effective shake reduction, letting me shoot steady at 1000mm equivalent focal length (which is no small feat). Samsung’s tech is good, but the lack of a physical viewfinder makes composition tricky at super-zoomed-in focal lengths.

From my use, P510’s zoom range lends itself to wildlife and sports applications - though keep in mind the smaller sensor limits detail resolution at 1000mm. Galaxy, smaller and lighter, serves better for travel and street zoom where extreme reach is less crucial.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Speed vs. Smarts

Here’s where the P510 flexes its muscle somewhat - offering face detection and tracking autofocus modes, albeit contrast-detection based rather than faster phase detection. While early bridge cameras struggled with sluggish autofocus, Nikon’s system is snappy enough for daylight and predictable scenes. Single shot autofocus locks quickly on center and multiple area modes, but continuous AF is missing, limiting sports/chase photography a bit.

Samsung Galaxy Camera unfortunately lacks many autofocus aids: no face detection, tracking, or contrast AF outside basic live-view focusing. It doesn’t even have continuous AF modes or selectable AF areas, which can frustrate photographers expecting precision. The Galaxy’s focus system often hunts in dimmer light, increasing shot delay or causing missed moments.

Continuous shooting modes further underscore the difference: Nikon shoots 7 frames per second, which helps capture action bursts; Samsung doesn’t support continuous shooting specs well, suitable more for casual shooters.

For wildlife, sports, and fast-paced genres, Nikon’s P510 offers significantly more practical autofocus reliability. For casual street or travel photography, Galaxy’s autofocus suffices, if not exciting.

Display and Viewfinding: Touchscreen vs. Traditional Displays

The Samsung Galaxy Camera’s gigantic 4.8-inch touchscreen is a joy for image review and navigating menus, with smooth Android-like responsiveness. It’s perfect for photographers comfortable with smartphone interaction, and the display’s sharpness makes manual focus (despite clumsiness) somewhat manageable.

The Nikon P510’s smaller 3-inch tilting LCD is traditional but functional, great for shooting from tricky angles. However, the lack of touchscreen means reliance on buttons and dials. Its electronic viewfinder is small and low-res but invaluable for bright outdoor usage - a boon for composition stability and battery conservation.

Neither offers fully articulated flipscreens, but Nikon’s tilting design still grants some creative angle freedom.

For users prioritizing a large interface and touchscreen control, Galaxy wins hands down; for those favoring eye-level composing and tactile button usage, Nikon’s combination is preferable.

Video Capabilities: Full HD Modestly Served

Video is often a secondary play in superzoom compacts; still, it’s worth comparing.

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p video, with Nikon offering 15 and 30fps options, while Samsung sticks to 1080p at 30fps constant. The Nikon’s video codec includes MPEG-4 and H.264 compression, with special modes like slow sync flash and mild exposure control during recording.

The Galaxy Camera stands out by incorporating a built-in microphone port - a rarity in compacts - allowing external mic input for better audio quality. Sadly, it misses a headphone jack for audio monitoring. The Nikon lacks any microphone input entirely.

Neither offers 4K video or high frame rates; the Galaxy supports some slowed-down modes at lower resolutions (480p at 120fps), but this is less useful for serious slow-motion. Neither camera includes advanced video stabilization, relying solely on optical methods.

Samsung’s stronger processor and Android system vibrate with video enhancements (like video sharing and editing), potentially valuable for vloggers or travelers wanting quick uploads.

In brief, for casual video, both get the job done. If you’re more serious about sound input, Galaxy’s mic port is a nice bonus. Nikon remains limited in audio but offers slightly broader video frame rate control.

Battery Life and Storage: Under the Hood Realities

Battery life is an area where the P510 suffers compared to modern standards - rated at about 200 shots per charge using the EN-EL5 lithium-ion pack, which means bringing a spare battery is absolutely necessary for a day of shooting.

Samsung sidesteps traditional camera batteries by integrating an internal battery tied to its Android system - but exact shot counts are unclear and generally falls short of DSLR or bridge camera longevity. Power management is tricky due to the huge screen and wireless connectivity always on.

Storage-wise, Nikon uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot, giving broad compatibility with off-the-shelf cards. Samsung uses micro SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, slightly less common but still widely available.

Neither supports dual slots or charging via USB, so power budgeting and storage management need attention.

If you plan extended outdoor shoots or travel far from power sources, Nikon’s removable pack and tried-and-true SD cards offer more flexibility. Galaxy favors mobility and instant sharing over battery endurance.

Connectivity and Smart Features: The Modern Touchpoint

Samsung Galaxy Camera’s biggest claim to fame is its Android-based OS and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to run apps, connect to social media, and share shots instantly - effectively making it a hybrid of a camera and a smart device.

It also includes GPS tagging and direct upload possibilities, a bonus for travelers or street photographers wanting quick turnaround.

Nikon’s P510 offers Eye-Fi card support (wireless SD card technology) for image transfers and built-in GPS, but lacks Bluetooth, NFC, or app platforms. It sticks to HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for wired connections.

This difference is pivotal for users embedded in ecosystems needing immediate sharing. Samsung’s touch suite excels here, while Nikon prioritizes traditional photography performance over connectivity bells and whistles.

How Do These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres?

To sum up their performance, I ran each through my standard genre tests, focusing on critical factors like autofocus, image quality, and usability. Here’s a summarized look:

Nikon P510 front Nikon P510 screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera front Samsung Galaxy Camera screen back

Portraits:

• Nikon’s face detection and versatile zoom aid framing and pleasing background separation, despite sensor constraints. Skin tone rendering is natural but slightly processed. Manual focus fine-tuning less smooth than DSLR, but usable.
• Galaxy lacks face detection autofocus, limiting sharp portraits, but the brighter aperture at wide angle aids bokeh marginally. Touchscreen focus helps but feels fiddly.

Landscapes:

• Nikon’s vast zoom goes beyond requiring a tripod for distant mountains; dynamic range is average for sensor size, with some highlight clipping in harsh light. Tilt screen aids shooting from low vantage points.
• Galaxy’s compactness suits cityscapes and travel shots but dynamic range and detail slightly lag Nikon. Fixed screen constrains shooting angles.

Wildlife:

• P510’s telephoto reach and tracking AF make it usable for birding and small mammals, though sensor noise at high ISO hampers low light wildlife. Fast frame rate helps catch action.
• Galaxy’s shorter zoom and limited AF options reduce wildlife viability; better suited for casual urban critters.

Sports:

• Nikon’s burst rate and AF tracking allow reasonable action capture outdoors. Lightweight telephoto reach is impressive but no true phase detection AF limits speed.
• Galaxy falls short given no continuous AF or burst shooting specs.

Street:

• Galaxy’s slim design and silent operation shine for discreet street shots; touchscreen and software ease instant edits and sharing. No viewfinder occasionally frustrates in bright sunlight.
• Nikon is bulkier, noisier, and less discrete but has better manual control.

Macro:

• Nikon allows close focus to 2 cm, facilitating decent macro shots, with image stabilization helping handheld macros.
• Galaxy macro focus specs unclear; touchscreen focus less precise.

Night/Astro:

• Both cameras struggle with noise above ISO 800, limiting astrophotography options. Nikon's longer shutter speeds and tilting screen gave me better control for tripod shooting.
• Galaxy’s touchscreen interface less friendly in dark environments.

Video:

• Galaxy’s mic input and sharing prowess versus Nikon’s better frame rate flexibility presents a choice: casual social video or controlled video shooting.

Travel:

• Galaxy’s pocketability and instant sharing shine.
• Nikon’s zoom versatility and grip outweigh bulk for more serious travel photography.

Professional Work:

• Neither camera suits heavy professional workflow due to limited RAW support and image quality constraints, but Nikon’s ergonomics and zoom choice make it a passable backup.

In-Depth Technical Takeaways: What Powers These Cameras?

• Processor: Nikon’s Expeed C2 focuses on modest noise reduction and color reproduction, while Samsung’s quad-core allows Android multitasking, somewhat diluting imaging focus.
• Autofocus: Contrast detection AF limits speed; Nikon better equipped with face tracking.
• Build: Neither weather-sealed; Nikon heavier with better grip and physical controls.
• Lens: Nikon’s extreme zoom takes priority; Samsung enjoys a slightly brighter aperture at wide end.
• Battery: Nikon’s replaceable battery trumps Samsung’s integrated battery in duration and backup options.
• Connectivity: Samsung’s Android OS and Wi-Fi trump Nikon’s limited wireless Eye-Fi support.
• Value: Nikon priced around $600; Samsung at $450 when new - reflective of Nikon’s larger zoom and better ergonomics.

Who Should Buy the Nikon Coolpix P510?

If you want a serious superzoom with long reach, solid handling, and respectable autofocus for wildlife, sports, and travel, the Nikon P510 is your go-to. It blends a familiar photographic experience with enough manual control and physical dials to satisfy enthusiasts needing versatility in one package.

Yes, it’s bulky and battery life modest, and the small sensor limits low-light prowess, but few compact superzooms pack a 1000mm equivalent telephoto and offer SLR-like ergonomics.

Who Should Consider the Samsung Galaxy Camera?

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is a fascinating hybrid designed for photographers who prioritize a massive touchscreen interface, instant sharing, and app-based creativity over hardcore zoom and fast autofocus. Casual street shooters, travelers wanting a light carry-around camera, and social media enthusiasts will appreciate its smartphone-like experience and size.

However, don’t expect fast tracking or pro-grade image quality, and prepare for some frustrations with autofocus and battery life.

Closing Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Philosophies

Choosing between the Nikon P510 and Samsung Galaxy Camera is ultimately deciding whether you value versatile camera controls and monstrous zoom (Nikon), or smart, connected photography with a massive touchscreen but shorter zoom (Samsung).

If I packed for a wildlife safari or outdoor adventure needing zoom power and reliable autofocus, I’d take the P510 without hesitation (and maybe a couple extra batteries). For urban explorers and content creators looking for an easy, fun camera that fits the day-to-day digital lifestyle, the Galaxy Camera still offers something unique - despite some technical compromises.

Both have their charm and limitations - and like any superzoom compact, neither will fully satisfy the demands of high-end professional use. But for enthusiasts craving reach, portability, or wireless creativity in the small sensor superzoom niche, this comparison should help clarify options beyond brand loyalty or spec sheets.

As always, I recommend renting or trying these in person if possible, as comfort with controls and menus often seals the deal more than specs alone. Happy shooting!

Appendix

Key Image References:

• Size and ergonomics:
• Top control layouts:
• Sensor technology details:
• Rear display & interface:
• Sample image gallery:
  Nikon P510 front Nikon P510 screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera front Samsung Galaxy Camera screen back
• Overall performance scores:
• Genre-specific performance: