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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 Key Specs

Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Succeeded the Nikon P510
  • Updated by Nikon P530
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Introduced July 2015
  • Old Model is Panasonic FZ200
Photography Glossary

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and FZ300 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The P520 was launched 3 years before the FZ300 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the P520 scores versus the FZ300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Panasonic FZ300

 P520 FZ300 
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Nikon P520

 FZ300 P520 
IntroducedJuly 2015January 2013More modern by 29 months
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Panasonic FZ300

 P520 FZ300 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon P520 comes with physical dimensions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ300 has specifications of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") accompanied by a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Check the Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the P520 and the FZ300.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the P520 and FZ300 is 66 and 59 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through specifications. The image here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the P520 and FZ300.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon P520 to render more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged P520 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Portrait photography camera
41
you can focus manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
46
focusing manually
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Street photography camera
51
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors (550 grams)
59
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment proofing
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (691g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Sports photography camera
46
long zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery power (380 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 Travel photography details
Panasonic FZ300 Travel photography details
57
good resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (1000mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (200 shots)
heavier than competitors (550 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
59
good battery power (380 CIPA)
environment proofing
provides touch focus
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
more heavy than average (691g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P520
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ300
46
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
52
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery power (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging info
Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging info
57
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competitors (550 grams)
62
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average (691g)
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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Panasonic FZ300
 Nikon Coolpix P520Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-29 2015-07-16
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 49
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550g (1.21 pounds) 691g (1.52 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 380 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 -
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $380 $598