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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon P510
  • Newer Model is Nikon P530
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Released January 2013
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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is relatively close and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The P520 was brought out very close to the XS1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the P520 matches up against the XS1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Panasonic XS1

 P520 XS1 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Nikon P520

 XS1 P520 

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Panasonic XS1

 P520 XS1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2013Same generation
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon P520 provides physical measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Panasonic XS1 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the P520 versus the XS1.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the P520 and XS1 is 66 and 97 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the P520 and XS1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon P520 to provide you with greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P520 Portrait photography info
Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography info
41
manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 Street photography information
Panasonic XS1 Street photography information
51
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competition (550 grams)
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Sports photography camera
46
long zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 Travel photography details
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography details
57
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1000mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
heavier than competition (550g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than average (103 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P520 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography factors
46
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
39
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging details
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging details
57
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (550g)
31
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Nikon P520 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Panasonic XS1
 Nikon Coolpix P520Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-29 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 18MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.40 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
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) 103g (0.23 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 shots 260 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $380 $130