Kodak S-1 vs Nikon B500

The Kodak PixPro S-1 and the Nikon Coolpix B500 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2012 and January 2016. The S-1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the B500 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (S-1) and a 1/2.3-inch (B500) sensor. The Kodak has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Kodak S-1		Nikon B500
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses		22.5-900mm f/3.0-6.5
16.1 MP – Four Thirds sensor		15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/30p Video		1080/60i Video
ISO 200-12,800		ISO 80-6,400
No viewfinder, LCD framing		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 920k dots		3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
4 shutter flaps per second		7.4 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		Lens-based stabilization
410 shots per battery charge		600 shots per battery charge
116 x 68 x 36 mm, 290 g		114 x 78 x 95 mm, 541 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Kodak PixPro S-1 and the Nikon Coolpix B500? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Kodak S-1 and the Nikon B500 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The S-1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the B500 is also available in two color-versions, but different ones (black, red).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon B500 is notably larger (13 percent) than the Kodak S-1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the S-1 nor the B500 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the B500 has a lens built in, whereas the S-1 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the S-1 and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

The power pack in the S-1 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Kodak S-1	116 mm	68 mm	36 mm	290 g	410	n	Jan 2012	299	ebay.com
2.		Nikon B500	114 mm	78 mm	95 mm	541 g	600	n	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
3.		Nikon B600	122 mm	82 mm	99 mm	500 g	280	n	Jan 2019	349	ebay.com
4.		Nikon P900	140 mm	103 mm	137 mm	899 g	360	n	Mar 2015	599	ebay.com
5.		Nikon L840	113 mm	78 mm	96 mm	538 g	590	n	Feb 2015	299	ebay.com
6.		Olympus E-P5	122 mm	69 mm	37 mm	420 g	330	n	May 2013	999	ebay.com
7.		Olympus E-PL6	111 mm	64 mm	38 mm	325 g	360	n	May 2013	599	ebay.com
8.		Olympus E-PL5	111 mm	64 mm	38 mm	325 g	360	n	Sep 2012	599	ebay.com
9.		Olympus E-PM2	110 mm	64 mm	34 mm	269 g	360	n	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
10.		Olympus E-PL3	110 mm	64 mm	37 mm	313 g	300	n	Jun 2011	599	ebay.com
11.		Olympus E-PM1	110 mm	64 mm	34 mm	265 g	330	n	Jun 2011	499	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic FZ80	130 mm	94 mm	119 mm	616 g	330	n	Jan 2017	399	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GF6	111 mm	65 mm	38 mm	323 g	340	n	Apr 2013	499	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic GX7	123 mm	71 mm	55 mm	402 g	350	n	Aug 2013	999	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic G3	115 mm	84 mm	47 mm	336 g	270	n	May 2011	599	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic GX1	116 mm	68 mm	39 mm	318 g	320	n	Nov 2011	699	ebay.com
17.		Sony HX80	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	390	n	Mar 2016	349	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Kodak S-1 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Nikon B500 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the B500 is 88 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 5.6. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

With 16.1MP, the S-1 offers a slightly higher resolution than the B500 (15.9MP), but the S-1 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.74μm versus 1.33μm for the B500) due to its larger sensor. However, the B500 is a much more recent model (by 4 years) than the S-1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the B500 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Kodak PixPro S-1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Coolpix B500 are ISO 80 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the S-1 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the B500 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Kodak S-1	Four Thirds	16.1	4640	3480	1080/30p	22.2	11.8	598	65
2.		Nikon B500	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	20.3	11.7	810	48
3.		Nikon B600	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.7	12.2	1095	52
4.		Nikon P900	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	727	47
5.		Nikon L840	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	20.2	11.6	721	47
6.		Olympus E-P5	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.8	12.4	895	72
7.		Olympus E-PL6	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.5	12.0	717	68
8.		Olympus E-PL5	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.8	12.3	889	72
9.		Olympus E-PM2	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.7	12.2	932	72
10.		Olympus E-PL3	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	1080/60i	20.9	10.3	499	52
11.		Olympus E-PM1	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	1080/60i	21.0	10.3	499	52
12.		Panasonic FZ80	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.5	11.9	900	49
13.		Panasonic GF6	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60i	20.7	10.6	622	54
14.		Panasonic GX7	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60p	22.6	12.2	718	70
15.		Panasonic G3	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60i	21.0	10.6	667	56
16.		Panasonic GX1	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60p	20.8	10.6	703	55
17.		Sony HX80	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	20.4	11.8	822	48
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the B500 provides a faster frame rate than the S-1. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60i, while the Kodak is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The S-1 and the B500 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Kodak S-1 and Nikon B500 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Kodak S-1	none	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	n	Y
2.		Nikon B500	none	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
3.		Nikon B600	none	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
4.		Nikon P900	921	n	3.0 / 921	swivel	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
5.		Nikon L840	none	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
6.		Olympus E-P5	optional	n	3.0 / 1037	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
7.		Olympus E-PL6	optional	n	3.0 / 460	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	Y
8.		Olympus E-PL5	optional	n	3.0 / 460	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	Y
9.		Olympus E-PM2	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	Y
10.		Olympus E-PL3	optional	n	3.0 / 460	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.5/s	n	Y
11.		Olympus E-PM1	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.5/s	n	Y
12.		Panasonic FZ80	1166	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Panasonic GF6	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.2/s	Y	n
14.		Panasonic GX7	2760	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Panasonic G3	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	Y	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
16.		Panasonic GX1	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.2/s	Y	n
17.		Sony HX80	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The B500 has one, while the S-1 does not. While the built-in flash of the B500 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the S-1 and the B500 write their files to SDXC cards. The S-1 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the B500 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Kodak PixPro S-1 and Nikon Coolpix B500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Kodak S-1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Nikon B500	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
3.		Nikon B600	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Nikon P900	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Nikon L840	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Olympus E-P5	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Olympus E-PL6	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Olympus E-PL5	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Olympus E-PM2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Olympus E-PL3	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Olympus E-PM1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Panasonic FZ80	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Panasonic GF6	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Panasonic GX7	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Panasonic G3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Panasonic GX1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Sony HX80	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the S-1 has a hotshoe, while the B500 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the S-1 and the B500 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The B500 was replaced by the Nikon B600, while the S-1 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the S-1 and B500 can be found, respectively, in the Kodak S-1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon B500 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Kodak S-1 or the Nikon B500 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Kodak PixPro S-1:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• More compact: Is smaller (116x68mm vs 114x78mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2012).

Arguments in favor of the Nikon Coolpix B500:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60i versus 1080/30p).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7.4 vs 4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the S-1 necessitates an extra lens.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (600 versus 410) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years of technical progress since the S-1 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the S-1 emerges as the winner of the contest (12 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Kodak S-1 and the Nikon B500 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the S-1 or the B500. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Kodak S-1	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2012	299	ebay.com
2.		Nikon B500	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
3.		Nikon B600	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3/5	Jan 2019	349	ebay.com
4.		Nikon P900	..	..	..	77/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2015	599	ebay.com
5.		Nikon L840	..	+ +	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	299	ebay.com
6.		Olympus E-P5	5/5	+ +	..	78/100	4.5/5	5/5	May 2013	999	ebay.com
7.		Olympus E-PL6	..	..	..	..	..	..	May 2013	599	ebay.com
8.		Olympus E-PL5	3/5	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	599	ebay.com
9.		Olympus E-PM2	3/5	..	..	77/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
10.		Olympus E-PL3	3/5	+ +	..	72/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2011	599	ebay.com
11.		Olympus E-PM1	..	86/100	..	71/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2011	499	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic FZ80	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	399	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GF6	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	499	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic GX7	4/5	+	..	79/100	5/5	5/5	Aug 2013	999	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic G3	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4.5/5	5/5	May 2011	599	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic GX1	3/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2011	699	ebay.com
17.		Sony HX80	..	..	..	..	..	..	Mar 2016	349	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Check S-1 offers at
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Check B500 offers at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Check S-1 offers at
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