• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon P500 advantages over Sony HX20V

  • 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 1.26 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 500 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony HX20V advantages over Nikon P500

  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    254g vs 499g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

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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
Sony HX20V
Fujifilm S4000
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX30V

Nikon P500
Sony HX30V
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony HX20V
Sony HX30V
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

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
Sony HX20V
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon SX50

Nikon P500
Canon SX50
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony HX20V
Canon SX50
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Nikon P500
Panasonic ZS35
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony HX20V
Panasonic ZS35
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
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