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Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 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
  • Old Model is Nikon P510
  • Replacement is Nikon P530
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Introduced March 2009
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Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and X70 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P520 was introduced 3 years after the X70 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the P520 matches up vs the X70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Pentax X70

 P520 X70 
IntroducedJanuary 2013March 2009More modern by 48 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Nikon P520

 X70 P520 

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Pentax X70

 P520 X70 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P520 enjoys exterior dimensions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Pentax X70 has dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the P520 against the X70.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P520 and X70 is 66 and 71 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking specs. The image underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the P520 and X70.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon P520 to give more detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern P520 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon P520
Portrait photography with Pentax X70
41
focusing manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 Street photography info
Pentax X70 Street photography info
51
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than average (550 grams)
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
46
excellent zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
50
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Travel photography camera
57
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (1000mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery life (200 shots)
more heavy than average (550g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
52
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long zoom (624mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P520
Landscape photography with Pentax X70
46
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
36
has manual focus
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging features
Pentax X70 Vlogging features
57
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
missing microphone port
more heavy than average (550g)
24
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Nikon P520 vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Pentax X70
 Nikon Coolpix P520Pentax X70
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix P520 Pentax X70
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-29 2009-03-02
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 50
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 9.10 m
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 550 gr (1.21 pounds) 410 gr (0.90 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL5 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $380 $200