Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS1

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon P520 versus Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the P520 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The P520 was released 3 years after the ZS1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the P520 matches up against the ZS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix P520 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon P520 Gallery and Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P520 comes with outside dimensions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Nikon P520 versus Panasonic ZS1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the P520 vs the ZS1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P520 and ZS1 is 66 and 91 respectively.

More often than not, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the P520 and ZS1.

As you can see, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The P520 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon P520 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The fresher P520 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.