Nikon Coolpix B500 vs Nikon Coolpix P950 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Bridge · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Nikon Coolpix B500
53
WINNER
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Nikon · Bridge · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Nikon Coolpix P950
52
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Nikon Coolpix P950 are Nikon bridge cameras with fixed zoom lenses, announced in 2016 and 2020 respectively. Each wraps a non-interchangeable lens in a DSLR-shaped body. The P950 is the much larger instrument at 140 x 110 x 150 mm and 1005 g, while the B500 keeps a compact 114 x 78 x 95 mm body weighing 541 g. The B500 suits a bag that stays light on walks and holidays, while the P950 needs more carry space for its larger body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 23, 2016 | July 1, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 114 x 78 x 95 mm | 140 x 110 x 150 mm |
| Camera weight | 541 g | 1005 g |
| Optics | 53/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe P950 offers something the B500 cannot match: an eye-level electronic viewfinder with 2,359,000 dots. The B500 has no viewfinder, so every shot is composed on the rear screen. In bright sunlight, that viewfinder keeps the frame visible at eye level. These particular capture specifications match. Both record 16 megapixel images on a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor format, shoot at up to 7 fps, and offer stabilisation for handheld frames. Each reaches a 1/4000 second shutter and a 6400 ISO ceiling. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
12530200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
144080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe P950 is the camera to buy if video matters, recording up to 4K while the B500 stops at Full HD. The extra resolution leaves room to crop clips in editing and keeps detail when footage is shown large. The P950 also records H.265 alongside MPEG-4, while the B500 records MPEG-4. Each camera's maximum video frame rate is 60 fps, and both include built-in timelapse for sunset or cloud sequences. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.265 |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe P950 alone supports an external flash, so you can add stronger or better-placed light for indoor portraits and fill work. On the B500, the built-in flash is your only on-camera option. The P950's LCD is slightly larger, at 3.2 inches against the B500's 3.0 inches. Both screens tilt for waist-level and overhead framing, and both cameras offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for phone transfers. Neither has GPS, weather sealing or a touchscreen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
No |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 43/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe B500 is the endurance choice on paper, with a 600-shot rating from four AA batteries against 290 shots from the P950's rechargeable EN-EL20a pack under their respective test conditions. Fresh AAs can be bought almost anywhere, keeping the B500 shooting on long trips. Both cameras charge over USB. Both cameras take a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with no second slot on either. The P950's slot is UHS-I compatible, so faster cards can move files at higher speed. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | 4 x AA batteries | EN-EL20a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
600 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the P950 for eye-level framing in bright daylight, 4K video and an external flash option for indoor portraits. Choose the B500 for travel and everyday snapshots, where its smaller body, AA power and higher rated shot count matter more.
Both share 16 megapixel resolution, stabilisation and 7 fps shooting, so the choice rests on how you shoot rather than image size. The P950 is the stronger buy for viewfinder, video and flash flexibility. The B500 is the lighter pick for casual use.