Digital cameras are convenient and affordable for casual photographers. Bridge cameras like Kodak Pixpro AZ401 Vs Nikon Coolpix B500 are perfect for everyone who wants a closer look at their subject without buying an interchangeable camera with a zoom lens. These cameras are affordable, produce good image quality, and are easy to use. Today we will see what else you can expect from the two and which you may like better.
In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- Why Buying a Bridge Camera
- What are Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500
- How is the Design of Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500
- How are the Camera Specs in Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500
- How is the Image Quality from Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500
- How is the Recording Mode in Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500
- Kodak Pixpro AZ401 Vs Nikon Coolpix B500
Bridge Cameras
Smartphone cameras are getting better, and flagship smartphones can produce impressive results, especially for casual users. Even professionals use their expensive cameras as main or spare gear for convenience. However, you may still need a bridge camera because it offers a zoom lens that is not always available on your smartphone. The bridge camera lens has a variable focal length to provide optical zoom, so you can capture better details than a digital zoom that crops the sensor in typical smartphones. Optical zoom is generally better as it works through the lens.
About Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500
While bridge cameras are handy, the image quality varies depending on the sensor, lens, and overall system. If you aren’t specifically looking for a zoom lens, an expensive smartphone will do the work fine, especially on the widest angle. But, if you are a traveler or someone who often takes pictures of a further subject, like a detail on a building or wild animal, the bridge camera may come in handy. Currently, only the Samsung flagship can provide a reliable ultra-long zoom, but it comes at a premium price.
Bridge cameras like Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 are affordable with extended zoom range and easy to use. These cameras are called a bridge because they can bring you closer to a subject, allowing photographers to capture more details. Both cameras boast 40x optical zoom, but these numbers very little show how far you can perform the optical zoom. These cameras use a different lens, and AZ401 has a slightly longer focal length when fully extended.
Image quality is good, and you can use these cameras like regular ones at the widest angle or with no zoom applied. Another advantage of using a dedicated camera is being as creative as possible when framing and adjusting the camera to the situation. You can tweak the manual adjustment, such as focal length, aperture, and exposure, to achieve the best results. Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 are equally impressive for the price.
Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 Design
One of the drawbacks of bridge cameras is the size because they are not as compact as typical digital cameras like Panasonic Lumix LX10 Vs Canon G7 X Mark II due to the massive lens. The design reminds us of a standard SLR but smaller. These cameras are not pocket-friendly but seem durable with normal applications. The housing is made of plastic with a pop-up flash but no hot shoe. Besides black, you can find these cameras in the red variant, and even purple for B500. The B500’s rear screen is tilting and has better resolution than AZ401’s.
Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 Camera Specs
Let’s see what Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 can offer, starting from the camera specs. Kodak Pixpro AZ401 uses a 1/2.3-inch 16MP sensor. The camera uses a 24mm – 960mm lens with an F number from F3.0 – F6.8 aperture length. You can perform 40x from the optical lens and up to 160x with the digital zoom. On the other hand, the B500 uses a 1/2.3-inch 16MP sensor with a 22.5mm – 900mm lens in 35mm equivalent. The F number is F3.0 – F6.5, so you can adjust it according to the situation.
Similarly, the B500 also offers 40x optical and 4x digital zoom, so you should get about 160x from optical and digital zoom. As for the ISO range, B500’s adjustable ISO is from 120 – 1600/6400, while AZ401’s is from 80 – 3200. If you use the camera for video recording, the B500 can record up to FHD 1920×1080 60fps or 1280×720 3fps in AZ401.
Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 Image Quality
Like most digital cameras, the Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 work best with decent lighting or outdoors. The main difference is that B500 has a wide angle compared to AZ401 when you don’t use the zoom function. The difference between 24 and 22.5mm is noticeable because the B500 captures more of what’s in front of its lens. The color looks incredible if you want a decent-looking picture because they are vibrant and detailed, especially with a good amount of lighting.
You can use these cameras in different modes, depending on preference and application. For example, we prefer the Auto mode in B500 as it allows you to manually adjust ISO, focus, release mode, and white balance. The AZ401 has manual mode, shutter, and aperture priority which gives you more freedom over the manual settings; perfect for beginners who are interested in photography.
Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500
Some people may use these cameras for recording video, but neither can record 4K, which is a considerable drawback for enthusiasts. These cameras are not for hybrid users or those who often use the recording function. Even mid range smartphones today can record decent 4K, so 720 or 1080p are not up to today’s standard. Still, the B500, with its 1080p, is a better choice for casual use, such as recording family events or when the phone’s storage runs out.
Kodak Pixpro AZ401 Vs Nikon Coolpix B500
The Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 are ideal cameras for everyone who wants the zoom length. The image quality is pretty good for the price point, but they are not mind-blowing. Your expensive smartphone can take better photos at the widest angle, but the manual mode in AZ401 triggers your creativity. The B500 looks like it has a shorter focal length than AZ401, but the lens can capture a wider angle from 22.5mm versus 24mm. Performance is similar, but AZ401 gives you more freedom.
Conclusion
There is no bad option between Kodak Pixpro AZ401 and Nikon Coolpix B500 because both are easy to use. We recommend the Coolpix B500 for casual photographers who want an easy to use camera. But, we also recommend the AZ401 for beginner enthusiasts because shooting in manual, aperture, or shutter priority can train your photography skills.
