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Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Announced February 2016
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed April 2015
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Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The B500 was launched 11 months later than the HX90V and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX90V being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the B500 matches up vs the HX90V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Sony HX90V

 B500 HX90V 
RevealedFebruary 2016April 2015More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Nikon B500

 HX90V B500 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Sony HX90V

 B500 HX90V 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon B500 enjoys outside measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Sony HX90V has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the B500 against the HX90V.

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the B500 and HX90V is 68 and 91 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the B500 and HX90V.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony HX90V to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The younger B500 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX90V as a Portrait photography camera
37
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
45
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 Street photography advice
Sony HX90V Street photography advice
52
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (541 grams)
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245g)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon B500
Sports photography with Sony HX90V
51
long zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
better than average battery (600 shots)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery pack (360 per charge)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX90V Travel photography highlights
59
better than average battery (600 shots)
has bluetooth
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (23mm)
great reach (900mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (541g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
76
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (245g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX90V as a Landscape photography camera
45
really wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
better than average battery (600 per charge)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
53
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 Vlogging information
Sony HX90V Vlogging information
27
really wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (541 grams)
75
really wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (245g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Nikon B500 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Sony HX90V
 Nikon Coolpix B500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix B500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-23 2015-04-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-900mm (39.1x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Min shutter speed 1 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.4fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 541 gr (1.19 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 600 photographs 360 photographs
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $300 $440