CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
  • LENSES
  • TOOLS
    • Smart Find
    • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Size Comparison
  • BRANDS
    • Sony Cameras
    • Canon Cameras
    • Nikon Cameras
    • Pentax Cameras
    • Fujifilm Cameras
    • Olympus Cameras
    • Panasonic Cameras
    • Leica Cameras
    • Samsung Cameras
  • BODY TYPE
    • Mirrorless Cameras
    • DSLR Cameras
    • Compact Cameras
    • Bridge Cameras
    • Waterproof Cameras

Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera Comparison

x
Camera to replace
Change

Nikon P500

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Nikon P500
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Change

Samsung Galaxy Camera

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Samsung Galaxy Camera
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing P500 and Galaxy Camera, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras from Nikon and Samsung. Both cameras have 1/2.3-inch sensors but Nikon P500 has a 12.0 MP and Samsung Galaxy Camera has a 16.0 MP resolution. Nikon P500 was introduced to market in February 2011 and Samsung Galaxy Camera was launched in February 2013. As you can see, P500 is 2 years older than Galaxy Camera. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon P500 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2011-02-09
  • 12MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • 23-810 mm F3.4-5.7 Zoom Lens
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • Electronic viewfinder
  • 1 fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 240fps High-Speed Video
  • 494g. 116 x 84 x 103 mm

Samsung Galaxy Camera Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2013-02-19
  • 16MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 23-481 mm F2.8-5.9 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 4.8" Fixed Type Screen
  • Unknown continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 120fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • Built-in GPS
  • 300g. 129 x 71 x 19 mm
  • Also known as Wi-Fi

Nikon P500 was replaced by Nikon Coolpix P510. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Nikon Coolpix P510 vs Nikon Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix P510 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera (Wi-Fi)

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix P500 over Samsung Galaxy Camera
LCD Screen
Tilting vs Fixed Type Flexible shooting positions
Viewfinder
Electronic vs None Better framing and control
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs No very handy for portraits
Focal Length - Tele
810mm vs 481mm 329 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom
36× vs 20.9× more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Tele
5.70 vs 5.90 faster lens at tele


Reasons to choose Samsung Galaxy Camera over Nikon Coolpix P500
Wireless Connection
Built-In vs None Better connectivity
Touch Screen
Yes vs No Easy control of camera functions
GPS
BuiltIn vs None track your location
Max Sensor Resolution
16 MP vs 12 MP 33% more pixels
LCD Screen Size
4.8" vs 3" 1.8 inches larger display
Max Mech. Shutter
1/2000s vs 1/1500s faster mechanical shutter
Weight
300 g vs 494 g 194 g lighter
Microphone Port
Yes vs No High quality audio recording option
Max Aperture - Wide
2.80 vs 3.40 faster lens at wide

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift vs Optical Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
LCD Screen Size
3" vs 4.8" Large display
LCD Screen Resolution
921k dots vs 922k dots High resolution screens
Manual Focusing
Yes vs Yes both have manual focusing modes
Manual Exposure
Yes vs Yes better exposure control
Focal Length - Wide
23mm vs 23mm Very good wide angle coverage
Focal Length - Tele
810mm vs 481mm Very good Telezoom
Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
RAW Support
No vs No Lower image quality
Continuous Shooting
1.0fps vs fps Slow shooting speeds
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
Max Aperture - Tele
5.70 vs 5.90 Slow lenses at tele
Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon P500 has external dimensions of 116 x 84 x 10 mm (4.57 x 3.31 x 4.06″) and weighs 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz) (including batteries). Samsung Galaxy Camera has external dimensions of 129 x 71 x 19 mm (5.08 x 2.8 x 0.75″) and weighs 300 g (0.66 lb / 10.58 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera. Samsung Galaxy Camera is 13mm shorter and 84mm thinner than Nikon P500 but it is also 13mm wider.

Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera.

Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera.
Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Samsung Galaxy Camera is significantly lighter (194g ) than the Nikon P500 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

P500
Galaxy Camera
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

P500
Galaxy Camera
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Nikon Coolpix P500 nor Samsung Galaxy Camera (Wi-Fi) provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Samsung Galaxy Camera's 4.8" LCD screen is slightly larger than Nikon P500's 3" screen.

On the other hand, Nikon P500 LCD screen has a Tilting feature where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over the head levels. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Camera has a fixed type screen which provides less flexibility in shooting positions compared to P500.
Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera: Sensor Comparison

Nikon P500 has a 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Expeed C2 processor. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Camera has a 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features 1.4GHz Quad-Core processor.

Below you can see the P500 and Galaxy Camera sensor size comparison.

Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera Cameras


Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon P500 features a 23-810 mm F3.4-5.7 36× zoom lens whereas Samsung Galaxy Camera features a 23-481 mm F2.8-5.9 20.9× zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 23mm. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f2.80, Samsung Galaxy Camera is faster than Nikon P500 at this focal length. On the tele end, Nikon P500 has 329mm longer reach than the Samsung Galaxy Camera. At f5.70, it is also faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

DSLR-Like Cameras

P500
Galaxy Camera
Widest - Samsung WB2200F
Average
Telezoom

Compact Cameras

P500
Galaxy Camera
Longest - Nikon P1000
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

P500
Galaxy Camera
Fastest - Olympus 1
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

P500
Galaxy Camera
Fastest - Sony RX10 III
Average
What types of Photography are Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon P500 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Samsung Galaxy Camera for Portrait Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Nikon P500 for Street Photography

GOOD

Samsung Galaxy Camera for Street Photography

GOOD
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
23 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
23 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Nikon P500 for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Samsung Galaxy Camera for Sports Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
810 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1500s
9 Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 220 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.70
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Wireless Connection
481 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Unknown Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
Read the details

Nikon P500 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Samsung Galaxy Camera for Daily Photography

GOOD
35.2X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
494g
Body Thickness 103mm
Read the details
Compact Body
Body Thickness 19mm
20.9X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Nikon P500 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Samsung Galaxy Camera for Landscape Photography

POOR
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
23 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Built-in GPS
23 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon P500 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon P500 and Samsung Galaxy Camera scores compare:

Nikon P500
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #50 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #556 out of 1223 in all Cameras
Samsung Galaxy Camera
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #81 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #531 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Samsung Galaxy Camera scores higher than the Nikon P500 thanks to its better general imaging quality, compact size and higher value for the money. On the other hand, Nikon P500 has some extra features which may become a game changer if you have some specific requirements.
We recommend you to read our detailed Pro's and Con's section and see if any Pro of Nikon P500 is a must-have for you. If not, choose the Samsung Galaxy Camera.

Nikon P500
Nikon P500
CHECK PRICE

CHECK PRICE

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Samsung Galaxy Camera
CHECK PRICE

CHECK PRICE

Samsung Galaxy Camera vs Nikon P500 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon Coolpix P500 Samsung Galaxy Camera
Brand Nikon Samsung
Announced 2011-02-09 2013-02-19
Body Type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor
Type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Size 1/2.3-inch 1/2.3-inch
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area 28.07mm2 28.07mm2
Megapixels 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Max Resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max Native Light sensitivity 3,200 ISO 3,200 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 160 ISO 100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 9 n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 23-810 mm (36×) 23-481 mm (20.9×)
Max Aperture F3.4-5.7 F2.8-5.9
Macro Focus Range 1cm n/a
Screen
Type Tilting Fixed type
Size 3" 4.8"
Resolution 921k dots 922k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Electronic None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/1500s 1/2000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization Sensor-shift Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 8.00 m n/a
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 1.0 fps n/a
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080
Video Formats MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 494g 300g
Dimensions 116 x 84 x 103mm 129 x 71 x 19mm
Battery Life 220 shots n/a
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
Report a correction Report a correction


FOLLOW US


Most Popular Cameras
Nikon Z7
46 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon Z Mount
Sony A6000
24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Sony E Mount
Sony A7 III
24 MP | Full frame Sensor | Sony E Mount
Fujifilm X-T3
26 MP | APS-C Sensor | Fujifilm X Mount
Canon R
30 MP | Full frame Sensor | Canon RF Mount
Sony A6400
24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Sony E Mount
Nikon D5600
24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Nikon F Mount
Nikon D850
46 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon F Mount
Top Rated Bridge Cameras
Top Bridge Cameras Under $200
Top Bridge Cameras Under $500
Top Bridge Cameras Under $750
Top Bridge Cameras Under $1000
Top Rated Compact Cameras
Top Compact Cameras Under $200
Top Compact Cameras Under $500
Top Compact Cameras Under $750
Top Compact Cameras Under $1000
Latest Cameras
Fujifilm GFX 100S
102 MP | Medium format Sensor | Fujifilm G Mount
Fujifilm X-E4
26 MP | APS-C Sensor | Fujifilm X Mount
Sony a1
50 MP | Full frame Sensor | Sony E Mount
Leica SL2-S
24 MP | Full frame Sensor | Leica L Mount
Leica Q2 Monochrom
47 MP | Full frame Sensor | 28 mm
Fujifilm X-S10
26 MP | APS-C Sensor | Fujifilm X Mount
Nikon Z7 II
46 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon Z Mount
Nikon Z6 II
25 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon Z Mount
Copyright © 2021 by CameraDecision
About Feedback Privacy Cameras

Report a Correction