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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Older Model is Nikon P510
  • Successor is Nikon P530
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Nikon P520 versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is relatively similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The P520 was revealed 11 months before the SZ8 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the P520 matches up vs the SZ8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Panasonic SZ8

 P520 SZ8 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon P520

 SZ8 P520 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2013Newer by 11 months

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Panasonic SZ8

 P520 SZ8 
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon P520 comes with exterior measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Nikon P520 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the P520 against the SZ8.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P520 and SZ8 is 66 and 94 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The picture here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the P520 and SZ8.

Plainly, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Nikon P520 to offer you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged P520 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon P520
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
41
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
51
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than others (550g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
46
amazing zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography details
57
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1000mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
more heavy than others (550 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than average in class (159g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P520 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography factors
46
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging information
57
quite wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no microphone support
more heavy than others (550g)
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix P520Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-29 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.20 m
Flash options - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 lbs) 159g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $380 $275