Clicky

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX550
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the S6500 (16MP) and FX580 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The S6500 was unveiled 4 years after the FX580 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the S6500 matches up versus the FX580 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic FX580

 S6500 FX580 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2009More modern by 49 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Nikon S6500

 FX580 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FX580

 S6500 FX580 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon S6500 features external dimensions of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic FX580 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the S6500 against the FX580.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the S6500 and FX580 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S6500 and FX580.

As you can see, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon S6500 to offer you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern S6500 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography details
44
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
26
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography information
Panasonic FX580 Street photography information
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (250g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S6500
Sports photography with Panasonic FX580
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography features
Panasonic FX580 Travel photography features
69
lighter than average (250 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX580 as a Landscape photography camera
50
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
37
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S6500
Vlogging with Panasonic FX580
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (250 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FX580
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FX550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-08 2009-01-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech AMOLED display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $170 $499