• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon P500 advantages over Sony QX30

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony QX30 advantages over Nikon P500

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    57 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    193g vs 499g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.4 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

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 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

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Sony QX30

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

Sony QX30
Fujifilm S4000
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony QX30 vs Fujifilm S4000

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

Sony QX30
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony QX30 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

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

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX50

Sony QX30
Canon SX50
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony QX30 vs Canon SX50

Compared to Nikon S9500

Nikon P500
Nikon S9500
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon P500 vs Nikon S9500

Sony QX30
Nikon S9500
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX30 vs Nikon S9500

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Nikon P500
Panasonic ZS40
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon P500 vs Panasonic ZS40

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS40

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