Decision tools · Compare

Coolpix P520 vs RX100

Quick take: The RX100 has the highest resolution at 20MP; the RX100 is the most affordable.

16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification Coolpix P520Nikon · 2013RX100Sony · 2012
Price £79 used£74 usedBest
Sensor 18MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS20.2MP 1-inch CMOS
Resolution 18.1MP20.2MPBest
Video Full HD 1080p/30 (1080/60i)Full HD 1080p/60
Autofocus Contrast-detect AF with face detection and target tracking25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection
Stabilisation Lens-shift VR (optical, in the lens)Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS
Burst Rate 7fps10fps (focus fixed at the first frame)Best
Battery Life ~200 shots (CIPA)~330 shots (CIPA)Best
Weight 550g (with battery)240g (with battery and card)Best
Dimensions 125.2 × 84.1 × 101.6mm101.6 × 58.1 × 35.9mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedNot weather sealed
Viewfinder EVF, 0.2", 201k dotsNo viewfinder
Screen 3.2" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots
Mount Fixed 42x Nikkor 24-1000mm equivalent f/3-5.9Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9
Memory Cards Single SD slotSingle SD / Memory Stick slot
Connectivity USB 2.0, AV out, mini HDMIMicro USB, micro HDMI, Eye-Fi

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Coolpix P520
RX100
Portrait
3.8/10
3.3/10
Street
4.6/10
6.3/10
Travel
4.5/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
2.2/10
2.2/10
Vlogging & Video
2.9/10
—
Documentary
2.5/10
3.3/10
Sports & Action
4.3/10
—
Landscape
3.3/10
3.9/10
Wildlife
5.0/10
—
Casual
2.9/10
4.0/10
Food
4.2/10
3.6/10
Macro
3.1/10
2.9/10
Architecture
3.8/10
3.6/10
Astrophotography
2.1/10
2.6/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

Next
More comparisons with Coolpix P520
Camera family history