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Nikon L120 vs Sony H90

Portability
75
Imaging
36
Features
38
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Replaced the Nikon L110
Sony H90
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Released February 2012
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Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon L120 vs Sony H90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the H90 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L120 was introduced 12 months before the H90 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the L120 grades against the H90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony H90

 L120 H90 
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H90 over the Nikon L120

 H90 L120 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2011Newer by 12 months

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Sony H90

 L120 H90 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon L120 enjoys outside measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) whilst the Sony H90 has sizing of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).

See the Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the L120 versus the H90.

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the L120 and H90 is 75 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The picture below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L120 and H90.

Plainly, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony H90 to show more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged L120 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 Portrait photography factors
Sony H90 Portrait photography factors
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography info
Sony H90 Street photography info
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (222 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 Sports photography info
Sony H90 Sports photography info
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony H90 as a Travel photography camera
60
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (222g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography information
Sony H90 Landscape photography information
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
44
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Vlogging camera
Sony H90 as a Vlogging camera
27
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (222 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Nikon L120 vs Sony H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Sony H90
 Nikon Coolpix L120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-09 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 431g (0.95 lb) 222g (0.49 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 290 images
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $300 $230