Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10
66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45


91 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
- 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
- Old Model is Nikon P510
- Successor is Nikon P530
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Announced January 2011
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Nikon P520 versus Panasonic ZS10, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and ZS10 (14MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The P520 was announced 2 years after the ZS10 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS10 being a Compact camera.
Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the P520 grades against the ZS10 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix P520 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10. The whole galleries are available at Nikon P520 Gallery & Panasonic ZS10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Panasonic ZS10
P520 | ZS10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 25 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Nikon P520
ZS10 | P520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon P520 and Panasonic ZS10
P520 | ZS10 |
---|
Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon P520 has outside measurements 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 ZS10 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon P520 versus Panasonic ZS10 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the P520 vs the ZS10.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the P520 and ZS10 is 66 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the P520 and ZS10.
Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon P520 to produce extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer P520 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 vs Panasonic ZS10 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P520 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix P520 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 |
Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-01-29 | 2011-01-25 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1000mm (41.7x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.00 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 550 gr (1.21 lb) | 219 gr (0.48 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 photos | 260 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 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 |
Retail pricing | $380 | $350 |