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Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon P510
  • Later Model is Nikon P530
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon P520 and Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is relatively close and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The P520 was revealed 19 months after the HX9V which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the P520 scores against the HX9V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Sony HX9V

 P520 HX9V 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2011More modern by 19 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Nikon P520

 HX9V P520 

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Sony HX9V

 P520 HX9V 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon P520 enjoys physical measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") along with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Nikon P520 and Sony HX9V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the P520 versus the HX9V.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P520 and HX9V is 66 and 91 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching technical specs. The picture here may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the P520 and HX9V.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Nikon P520 to result in extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more recent P520 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Portrait photography camera
41
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
39
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon P520
Street photography with Sony HX9V
51
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others in class (550 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX9V Sports photography highlights
46
great zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
44
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 Travel photography advice
Sony HX9V Travel photography advice
57
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1000mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (200 shots)
heavier than others in class (550 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors (245g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P520 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX9V Landscape photography factors
46
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
49
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging details
Sony HX9V Vlogging details
57
really wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no mic jack
heavier than others in class (550 grams)
33
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic support
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Nikon P520 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Sony HX9V
 Nikon Coolpix P520Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix P520 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-29 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550 gr (1.21 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 200 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL5 NP-BG1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $380 $328