P510 or P520? The Coolpix sisters in Test

Approximately one year after the release of the Nikon Coolpix P510 digital camera Nikon is now bringing out the P520 and hopes to build on previous successes.
For the interested buyers to this is, however, the question of which is the better of the two cameras. The P510, which currently are available for a price of around 290 or the newer P520, which currently costs about 400?
Both cameras I had the test and now wants to portray below my impressions with the P520 in a direct comparison with the P510.

DESIGN / PROCESSING / HANDLING:

Here (P510) has not changed much compared to the previous model. The buyer can choose between the colors black, red and anthracite. The camera is held predominantly in matt plastic, only a few parts are provided with shiny plastic or chrome elements. Overall, however, the camera looks quite classy and has, as already the P510, a good processing.
The size of the fingerboard was somewhat improved the P520 is comfortable in the hand and is expected to accommodate users with larger hands. Also, the rubber on the handle and the Daumenablager affects non-slip. Overall, the camera will keep very well and is safe in the hand. In addition, the small wheel above the thumb rest was made slightly heavier than normal. When P510 it happened to me now and then that I have just moved when placing the thumb of this wheel. With the P520 which appears to have been clarified.
On the camera dimension has not noticeably done against the P510 bit. Despite the 42-fold optical zoom, both cameras are kept quite compact and smaller than an entry-level DSLR. In your pocket but can not store both - but I find the size to be very pleasant.
The buttons are largely arranged on the right side, so that the camera can also be operated during photographing with one hand. The accessibility of the buttons is good. On timer is simultaneously the zoom lever. Compared to the P510 has the P520 no longer button switch to switch between the viewfinder and the display will now be automatically when the display is on or fold the viewfinder activates or deaktiviert.Das dial with the scene modes can also be very pleasant adjust and is strong enough to prevent accidental changes.

The USB port or the HDMI port are (seen from the front) under a flap on the left. The memory card and battery are inserted at the bottom (The SD card must be purchased separately). Beside it is the thread for a tripod. Unfortunately, Nikon has not touched up here. So the battery / SD card door is still so hidden when you use a quick release plate on the stand, that opening is no longer possible and the battery or memory card can be replaced only after removing the quick release plate. For buyers who like to take pictures with the tripod, securely occasionally problematic.

LOADING:

Again, Nikon has left everything as it was. To load the camera, the battery still remains in the housing. Only one USB cable and the charger can be connected and plugged into the socket. Or. the camera can also be loaded on the PC. For me as a photographer rather a minor nuisance. For if the camera during charging may not be used if you want to charge the battery. If you shoot a lot, here should consider purchasing a replacement battery or charger with a replacement, in which the battery from the camera must be taken.

DISPLAY:

Instead of 3 inches, there is now a 3.2-inch display. The resolution with 921 million pixels remains the same, but can be seen and images can thus be assessed and well thanks to the size in the camera. The brightness of the display even in bright sunlight allows an assessment, should it indeed be too bright, can also be viewed through the viewfinder images. Tip: If you prefer using the large display, which can also be films, swallow the reflections, sticking out.
The biggest change has been made against it during the unfolding of the display.
While the display of the P510 unfortunately brought no real advantage only upwards and was folded out below and in most shooting situations, the P520 now provides a vari-angle display, as I'm used to from my Canon 60D and which I have grown to love. In addition, the display when not in use can now fold easily in order to avoid scratches etc..

SEARCH:

Also the viewfinder Nikon has changed nothing. Too bad, it would have been really necessary. Because the resolution of the viewfinder has failed rather poor in comparison with the large display. Also, a larger / brighter viewfinder would have been beneficial. Although the motifs reveal, however, you have to look here very closely in order to evaluate the image. Overall, the motifs are blurred through the viewfinder.
Also, I find it a shame that no rubberized eye cup was installed to the viewfinder, but hard plastic. Likewise, this concealment can not be removed in order to easily remove accumulated dust in the viewfinder can.

PICTURE / SOUND AND VIDEO:

Of course, the camera stands out first of all clearly by their large zoom range. Here I was a bit skeptical before testing. How does this big push will affect the quality of the images?
Here Nikon has really done a fantastic job. The image quality of the P520 is compelling and not just in the vicinity. The images bribe over the entire zoom range with a good sharpness and sufficient details, the colors are vivid and clear. Here there is really nothing to complain about. Also the noise in low light conditions is still neat and can be removed with suitable software. It is also gratifying that the Nikon P520 only 2 MP more, compared to the P510 with 16 MP donated, and so do not get too succumbs to the pixel craze.

In addition, the camera next to the famous scene mode in which zBua option 3D, Animal Portrait, Panorama, etc. are to be found, also a Effects mode in which the image style can be changed. The images can be recorded in black / white, it can be a vintage effect can be adjusted, or in Highkey / Lowkey style are shot.
The Scene mode works very well in my opinion. So I tested the Panorama function and the animal portrait function that detects the face of the animal as soon as it looks into the camera. Possibly should be used for optimum results the Panorama feature a tripod.

The sound is really for the size of the camera more than acceptable. Short holiday are therefore no problem. The video quality in HD resolution is excellent. Here small changes were made to the P510. So the P520 takes now on 1080/25 fps (frames-per-second), instead of 30fps in the P510. Added, however, is a new mode that takes in 1080/50. For me, probably not of particular importance, since I usually take pictures more turn than videos. It should be mentioned, however, that when zooming the buzz of the lenses can be heard clearly. The AF (auto focus) when shooting is not quite as good, and it came to focus the camera several times to the fact that he has pumped back and forth and that I needed to readjust while focusing also unfortunately no improvement to P510 can be seen. Anyone who wants to avoid the pumping of AF, which should perhaps entirely manual focus (even this option provides the P520).

The AF when shooting, however, is quite fast and often works well even in difficult lighting situations. When the zoom is fully is to be noted that the focus here will take longer than the wide angle end. Whether the P520 so that is suitable for sports, I can not say it, and you would have to leave it a try, but I believe that they will soon reach their limits here.

I feel positive, however the standby mode of the camera, which is activated after prolonged non-use itself and so easy on the battery.
Unlike my compact Coolpix S6300, the P510 and P520 are also after power immediately operational and there are no waiting times or can be losgelegt with snapshots instantly. A lower shutter lag I could not find against the P510. Both cameras solve the same pace for me.
First class is working again, the integrated image stabilizer which is a movable lens as the P510 in the lens. The P500 offered at their Einfürhung other hand, only an electronic image stabilizer. The built-in lens stabilizer, however works more efficiently. Even with fully extended zoom the images were camera-shake free.

GPS:

Already the P510 offered this feature for the first time. Who travels a lot, so can accurately locate where the picture was taken. Especially helpful is that if you put his pictures on image online portals, and to exchanges with colleagues photo. At least that's the theory. Unfortunately, the GPS function does work for me adequately even when the P520. After the camera a long time to ever to receive a signal, the location was still in most pictures next to it and could not be accurately determined. Subjectively, I feel that the P520 no longer quite so often beside it, like the P510, but the identification errors were still evident.

P510 and P520 at a glance:

What improvements has the P520 compared to the P510 and what has remained the same:

° size does not change significantly
Not improved ° viewfinder
° 42x Zoom
° battery and SD card slot is still covered by the quick release plate of my tripod
° battery continues to be charged in the camera by these can not be used during the charging cycle
° identical image quality at P510 and P520
° does not save RAWs

+ Larger display (3.2 inches) but with the same resolution
+ Vari-angle display, instead of pull-out
+ Better ergonomics (especially large hands, the P520 better grip)
+ Wi-Fi to connect to the camera, for example, directly with a printer and Co.. (Worked out well for me in connection with a Canon printer to try a little bit, for me is negligible)

Legend: ° = no noticeable change, + = changes compared to the P510

CONCLUSION:

P510 or P520 but the newer? Face of the great similarity of the two cameras it would be difficult for new customers to choose here. Overall, the P520 provides little real changes from the P510. So probably the biggest change probably be the vari-angle display and improved ergonomics. One can find other innovations, these are rather marginal compared to the P510 and can not raise much more than the older sister, the P520. Here one must therefore decide rotating and swiveling display yes or no, save or the latest variant call his own.
With two cameras ambitious holiday photographer receives at least very round packages that can convince both in terms of picture and video quality. With its 42x optical zoom one is equipped with two cameras for each photo situation entirely and there should a missed very little. The image quality is excellent throughout the entire zoom range. The images are sharp and clear, the color fill, but not overdone. The quality of the videos is impressive and offers HD resolution. As with the P510 does have to intervene now and then, as far as the focusing by AF.

All in all, the P520 linked seamlessly to the performance of her older sister, and you get a good all-rounder. Unfortunately, the changes of P520 compared to the P510 have failed not only low, but the criticisms that were already there in the P510 were hardly improved. Here then have to consider whether the P520 it is worth paying extra for P510.
Overall, the camera receives for its performance thus 4 of 5 stars.