Updated (February 2011): Compare the Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Winner
Nikon Coolpix P500

75
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

67

Runner-up

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P500

High resolution screen
Screen resolution
920k dots
Fast shutter speed
Fastest shutter speed
1/5000 of a second
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
Usually standard
Rapid fire
Continuous shooting
10 fps
 

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Aperture
 Wide aperture
f/2.8
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
  1. Lens
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
11 fps
External flash
 External flash
Better lighting
More detailed differences and similarities →

galleries

Explore our gallery of 50 sample photos taken by the Nikon Coolpix P500.
Explore our gallery of 50 sample photos taken by the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100.

competitors

Nikon Coolpix P500 Competitors

Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 (Lumix DC-FZ82)

Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 (Lumix DC-FZ82)

Super zoom

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Wide angle Significantly better wide angle
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Lumix DC-FZ80 (Lumix DC-FZ82) vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix P600

Nikon Coolpix P600

Super zoom

$700

Battery life Much longer battery life
Image stabilization Better image stabilization
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Compare the Coolpix P600 vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix P520

Nikon Coolpix P520

Super zoom

$337

Screen size Much larger screen
Aperture Wider aperture
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Compare the Coolpix P520 vs the Coolpix P500

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Competitors

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

Super zoom

$750

Size Slightly smaller
Weight Lighter
Screen size Much smaller screen
Compare the Lumix DMC-FZ35 vs the Lumix DMC-FZ100
Sony SLT A58

Sony SLT A58

Entry-level DSLR

$330 body only

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Screen size Much smaller screen
Compare the SLT A58 vs the Lumix DMC-FZ100
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Super zoom

Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
GPS Has a GPS
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V vs the Lumix DMC-FZ100
More detailed differences and similarities →

discussion

Nikon Coolpix P500
Coolpix P500
Nikon

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Lumix DMC-FZ100
Panasonic

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Showing 5 comments

Jorge (1:48 PM, October 16, 2011)
I want to buy a new camera. I had before the Panasonic DMC-FZ18. I have still doubts between the Nikon Coolpix P500 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100? Which do you recommend or would you buy for yourself? There is so a big difference between Nikon and Leica lenses? Do you recommend another super zoom camera that you think could be better than the mentioned before?

Thanks :)
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:00 PM, August 30, 2011)
Agreed, thats why our comparison points out that the FZ100 shoots raw and the P500 doesn't.  See the Panasonic FZ100 specs.  Panasonic confirms that the FZ100 does shoot raw: "RAW Format Compatible and Included Software for Editing"
 
Lol (11:45 AM, August 30, 2011)
FZ100 ...... RAW = YES.
 
jas.atx (4:37 AM, August 05, 2011)
Do you own either of these cameras? I was automatically going to buy the FZ100 but am strongly considering the P500.
 
guest (0:54 AM, July 15, 2011)
So glad I found the explain scores link, I couldn't understand how the P500 was rated higher.  I understand why Snapsort includes popularity in their scores, but if you take it out of the equation these camera's are practically equal.  As for some of the other ratings:

ISO - high ISO settings are practically useless on both of these cameras, and pretty much anything not a DSLR.
Image stabilization - just awful on the P500, it shouldn't have gotten any points at all for it.

Snapsort is a great place for quick comparisons, but do your research elsewhere as well.
 
More detailed differences and similarities →