• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon P500 advantages over Panasonic SZ3

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    810 mm vs 250 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic SZ3 advantages over Nikon P500

  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    126g vs 499g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon P500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ3
Panasonic SZ3

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm S4000

Panasonic SZ3
Fujifilm S4000
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Fujifilm S4000

Compared to Canon A4000 IS

Nikon P500
Canon A4000 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon A4000 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon A4000 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon A4000 IS

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Panasonic SZ3
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compared to Canon 150 IS

Nikon P500
Canon 150 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon 150 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon 150 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon 150 IS

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Nikon P500
Canon SX520 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX520 HS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon SX520 HS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon SX520 HS

Compare Other Cameras?