Nikon Coolpix P520 review

42x optical zoom bridge camera put to the test

Reviews
By Amy Davies
published
Nikon Coolpix P520 review
The Nikon Coolpix P520 has a huge optical zoom

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We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using DXO Analyzer software to generate the data to produce the graphs below.

A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.

For more more details on how to interpret our test data, check out our full explanation of our noise and dynamic range tests.

Here we compare the Nikon P520 with the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, Sony HX200V and Panasonic Lumix FZ200.

JPEG signal to noise ratio

Nikon P520 review

This chart shows that the Nikon P520's JPEG files have a similar signal to noise ratio to those from the Sony HX200V and Panasonic Lumix FZ200, and a weaker ratio than those from the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, at every sensitivity setting.

JPEG dynamic range

Nikon P520 review

JPEG images from the Nikon P520 again show a weaker dynamic range than those from the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS at every ISO setting, but produce a similar dynamic range to those from the Sony HX200V and Panasonic Lumix FZ200.

Amy Davies
Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.