Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Nikon Coolpix P300

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon Coolpix P500 and the Nikon Coolpix P300, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon Coolpix P500 was introduced in February 2011 and Nikon Coolpix P300 was introduced in May 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon Coolpix P500 Highlights

      • 12.1 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
      • 160 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 921k dot Tilting Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Nikon Coolpix P300 Highlights

      • 12.2 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
      • 160 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon Coolpix P500
      4. Advantage of Nikon Coolpix P300
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon Coolpix P500 and Nikon Coolpix P300.

      PROS

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      •   Video Capture
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Video Capture
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 189 g (0.42 lb / 6.67 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps

      Advantage of Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon P500
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix P500 over Nikon Coolpix P300.

      Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Nikon Coolpix P300
      Reaches Wider Angle 23 mm vs 24 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 810 mm vs 100 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 36x vs 4.2x
      Min Macro Focus Distance 1 cm vs 3 cm
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
      Viewfinder Electronic vs
      Spot Metering vs
      AF-Area Metering vs
      Internal Storage 102 MB vs 90 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon Coolpix P500.

      Nikon P1000
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon P510
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P520
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      1/2.3-inch

      18.1 MP

      Nikon P600
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P310
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P330
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.2 MP

      Nikon P530
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P950
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon P100
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.3 MP

      Nikon P340
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.2 MP

      Nikon P900
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon P610
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Advantage of Nikon Coolpix P300

      Nikon P300
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix P300 over Nikon Coolpix P500.

      Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Nikon Coolpix P300
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.1 Megapixel vs 12.2 Megapixel
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.4 vs f/1.8
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/5.7 vs f/4.9
      Min Normal Focus Distance 50 cm vs 30 cm
      Higher Resolution Screen 921k dot vs 922k dot
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/1500 sec vs 1/2000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 0.8 fps vs 7.0 fps
      Lighter 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz) vs 189 g (0.42 lb / 6.67 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 220 shots vs 240 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon Coolpix P300.

      Nikon P530
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P330
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.2 MP

      Nikon P600
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P340
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.2 MP

      Nikon P520
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      1/2.3-inch

      18.1 MP

      Nikon P310
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon P610
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon P950
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon P900
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon P100
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.3 MP

      Nikon P1000
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon P510
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon Coolpix P500 Nikon Coolpix P300
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO3,2003,200
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini
        Light494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz)189 g (0.42 lb / 6.67 oz)
        Internal Storage102 MB90 MB
      WEAKNESSES Nikon Coolpix P500 Nikon Coolpix P300
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.3-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor12.1 Megapixel12.2 Megapixel
        High Native ISO160160
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points99
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/1500 sec1/2000 sec
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life220 shots240 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon Coolpix P500 and Nikon Coolpix P300 have 3.0" screens with 921k dot and 922k dot resolutions respectively. Nikon Coolpix P500 has a Tilting screen which makes it very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Nikon Coolpix P300 has a Fixed screen

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      Nikon Coolpix P500 with Tilting screen


      Electronic Viewfinder on Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P500 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon Coolpix P300.

      Sensor

      BSI-CMOS Sensor

      Nikon Coolpix P500 features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 160 - 3,200. Nikon Coolpix P300 features a 12.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 160 - 3,200.

      The cameras have BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

      Photography Features

      Cameras are equipped with Expeed C2 processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. They can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4000 x 3000, 3968 x 2232, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 2944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon Coolpix P500 has a Mini HDMI and Nikon Coolpix P300 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon Coolpix P500 comes with EN-EL5 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots and Nikon Coolpix P300 comes with EN-EL12 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/1500 sec on Nikon Coolpix P500, and up to 1/2000 sec on Nikon Coolpix P300. Nikon Coolpix P500 can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps. Nikon Coolpix P300 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 8.00 m on Nikon Coolpix P500 and 6.50 m on Nikon Coolpix P300..

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon Coolpix P500 body has dimensions of 116 x 84 x 103 mm (4.57 x 3.31 x 4.06") and Nikon Coolpix P300 body has dimensions of 103 x 58 x 32 mm (4.06 x 2.28 x 1.26"). Nikon Coolpix P500 weighs 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz) and Nikon Coolpix P300 weighs 189 g (0.42 lb / 6.67 oz).

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      116 mm

      84 mm

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      103 mm

      58 mm

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      84 mm

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      58 mm

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      103 mm

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      32 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon Coolpix P500 and Nikon Coolpix P300

      Nikon Coolpix P500 and Nikon Coolpix P300 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      GOOD
      80
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 189 g (0.42 lb / 6.67 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 189 g (0.42 lb / 6.67 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon Coolpix P500 and Nikon Coolpix P300 and give them scores of 61 and 58 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      OVERALL
      61
      OVERALL
      58

      Sensor

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      GOOD
      74
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon Coolpix P500

      Nikon Coolpix P300

      BAD
      39
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 494 g (1.09 lb / 17.43 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Internal Storage
      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 189 g (0.42 lb / 6.67 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 240 shots
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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