Nikon P600 vs Sony HX80: A Detailed Face-Off of Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

When I first picked up the Nikon Coolpix P600 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80, I knew I was diving into two firmly positioned bridge/compact superzoom cameras aimed at photography enthusiasts and travelers who want a lot of reach without changing lenses. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of cameras in this category, and both these models bring their own flavor to the table. With specs spanning from ultra-long zoom to onboard electronics, each has unique benefits and real-world compromises.

Let’s unpack these two cameras across every meaningful aspect - from sensor tech and lens capabilities to usability in various photography disciplines like portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video - to help you choose the right one for your style and budget.

Seeing Them Side By Side: Size and Ergonomics Matter

Right out of the gate, handling these cameras reveals their design philosophies. The Nikon P600 sports a classic SLR-like bridge camera form, larger and more robust, while the Sony HX80 is a compact shooter that’s designed for pocketable portability.

The Nikon P600 measures 125 x 85 x 107 mm and weighs 565 g, which lends it a solid grip and balance especially useful when handling its mammoth 60x zoom lens. In contrast, the Sony HX80 is noticeably smaller at 102 x 58 x 36 mm and just 245 g, making it extraordinarily travel-friendly for those who value discreet shooting and weight savings.

In the field, I found the P600’s deeper grip and SLR-esque button layout more comfortable for extended shoots, especially wildlife safaris or sports where steady, deliberate framing matters. The HX80 sacrifices some ergonomic heft but wins for casual street and travel photography where you want to stay agile.

A Tale of Two Lenses: Zoom Range and Aperture Realities

Both cameras deliver large zoom ranges, but the Nikon P600’s 24-1440 mm equivalent (60x zoom) is truly gargantuan compared to Sony HX80’s 24-720 mm (30x zoom).

When shooting distant wildlife or capturing city skylines from miles away, that extra reach on the P600 is a game-changer. I recall photographing a distant eagle perched on a cliff - only the P600’s long end brought it in clear enough to fill my frame with details.

On the flip side, the P600’s max aperture varies from f/3.3 wide-angle to f/6.5 telephoto, slightly slower than the HX80’s f/3.5–6.4. In practical terms, this means both cameras struggle a bit in low light at max zoom, but the Sony’s more modern optics and image processor help nail sharper shots and better control vignetting especially in the wide-angle range.

For macro photographers, the Nikon’s 1 cm minimum focusing distance feels impressively close, allowing intimate close-ups, while the Sony likes a bit more space at 5 cm before sharp focus locks in.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Results

Both cameras house a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, but megapixel counts differ - 16MP on the Nikon vs 18MP on the Sony - and that’s only part of the story.

In my controlled lab tests, both cameras deliver similar base ISO performance, but the Sony HX80’s newer Bionz X processor leverages its sensor slightly better, offering crisper images with better noise control past ISO 1600. The Nikon P600 maxes out at ISO 6400 native, but noise becomes obvious at ISO 3200 and above, a common challenge for this sensor size.

Dynamic range is limited on both, as expected for compact sensors, but the Sony edges out with marginally better highlight retention in bright scenes, which is handy for landscapes in harsh sunlight. Neither camera supports RAW capture, which constrains post-processing flexibility - a dealbreaker for pro-level shooters for whom manual tweaking matters.

Autofocus Systems Compared: Speed and Accuracy Under Pressure

Autofocus (AF) can make or break moments, especially in wildlife or sports photography. Here’s where the differences show clearly.

The Nikon P600 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection, allowing single, tracking autofocus modes, but no continuous AF. This means quick snaps are possible but following fast-moving subjects is tricky. I noticed notable hunting in challenging light or chaotic backgrounds.

The Sony HX80 improves on this with contrast-detection plus intelligent tracking, and importantly, includes continuous AF for up to 10 fps bursts. During a busy football match shoot, the HX80 successfully tracked players better and maintained focus through multiple frames, a notable advantage for sports fans on a budget.

Neither camera features phase-detection AF or animal eye AF, which means accuracy and speed are limited compared to dedicated DSLRs or mirrorless models.

Built Quality and Weather Resistance: When the Elements Come Calling

Neither model offers weather sealing or ruggedized design, a caveat for users planning outdoor adventures in inclement conditions.

The Nikon’s bigger build incorporates a carbon-fiber like textured finish that feels tough but doesn’t resist water ingress. The Sony’s compact metal and plastic body feels solid but fragile in unfavorable weather.

If you shoot often in rain or dusty environments, careful protection or an external case will be necessary regardless of which model you choose.

Handling the Camera: Interface, Screens, and Controls

User interface profoundly impacts shooting enjoyment and efficiency. Let’s look under the hood.

The Nikon P600 sports dedicated exposure mode dials (including shutter and aperture priority) that tactilely satisfy experienced users who want direct control. Buttons are well spaced and backlit, but the lack of touchscreen means menu navigation can feel dated.

Its 3-inch fully articulated TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating, paired with an electronic viewfinder, makes composing in bright daylight fairly manageable.

The Sony HX80 opts for a compact design with fewer physical buttons but a 3-inch tilting LCD screen, sacrificing articulation but affording selfie enthusiasts angled viewing. It also misses touchscreen features, which I found limiting for quick focus adjustments in live view. The electronic viewfinder covers 100% and is handy, though magnification details are limited.

In practical usage, the Nikon’s interface is geared more toward photographers comfortable with manual tweaks, whereas the Sony leans into casual shooting and speed.

Burst Rates and Continuous Shooting: Catching the Action

For shooters focusing on wildlife or sports, burst rates and buffer depth matter deeply.

• Nikon P600: 7 fps continuous shooting, single AF mode only. Buffer fills quickly.
• Sony HX80: 10 fps, continuous AF enabled. Slightly larger buffer.

The Sony’s clear advantage here offers more frames per second and the ability to maintain focus during bursts, making it more suited for dynamic scenes.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

Both cameras offer Full HD 1080p video, but with noticeable differences.

The Nikon P600 shoots 1080p at 30/25 fps, using MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs with optical stabilization. It lacks microphone and headphone ports, limiting audio quality control.

The Sony HX80 films 1080p at up to 60 fps, supporting AVCHD and the higher quality XAVC S codec, enabling smoother video and more compression options. Optical stabilization is present but no external audio controls, like the Nikon.

Neither camera supports 4K or higher resolution video, expected for their release periods, but for casual full HD use, the HX80 offers a slight edge in frame rate and codec quality.

Real-World Photography Disciplines Tested

I put both cameras to work in several genres to gauge strengths and weaknesses beyond specs.

Portraits: Skin Tones, Face/Eye Detection, and Bokeh

Neither camera can match the creamy bokeh of larger-sensor interchangeable-lens cameras, but both handle portraits decently for casual use.

• Nikon P600’s face detection performs adequately, though eye tracking is absent.
• Sony HX80 includes face detection plus continuous autofocus to better lock focus on subjects.

Lens maximum apertures being modest means background blur is more reliant on zoom length than aperture. The P600’s long zoom helps isolate faces at longer focal lengths in less crowded backgrounds. Skin tones from both cameras appear a bit muted but acceptably natural under daylight.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Pixel counts are similar; the Sony edges slightly with 18MP vs Nikon’s 16MP.

Both cameras’ modest dynamic ranges limit shadow and highlight recovery, causing clipped skies on bright days. I recommend using exposure compensation and, if possible, careful post-processing.

Neither camera is weather sealed, which impacted shooting during some foggy hikes.

Wildlife: Autofocus and Reach

The Nikon P600 shines here thanks to that massive 60x zoom, allowing tight framing from a distance. However, limited tracking AF slowed my shooting pace during fast bird flights.

Sony’s 30x zoom is respectable but less forgiving; it compensates somewhat with faster continuous autofocus and burst shooting.

Sports: FPS and Tracking

Sony HX80’s 10 fps and continuous AF gave me better results on moving subjects. Nikon’s 7 fps lagged, and autofocus hunting disrupted key moments.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability

Sony HX80’s compact size and light weight made it inconspicuous and easy for candid shots in busy city streets. Nikon P600 was noticeably bigger, drawing more attention.

Macro Photography: Focus Closest and Sharpness

Nikon’s 1 cm macro capability gave me much tighter close-ups than Sony’s 5 cm minimum focusing distance, making it a better choice for flower and insect close-ups.

Night and Astro: Handling High ISO and Exposure Controls

With both cameras limited by small sensors, noise is a challenge beyond ISO 1600.

Sony HX80’s more modern processor produced cleaner images at night. Long exposures up to 30 seconds are possible on Sony, versus 15 seconds max on Nikon, allowing more flexibility for star trails.

Neither camera supports internal intervalometers or focus stacking, limiting astrophotography options.

Travel and Everyday Use: Battery Life and Connectivity

I compare battery life based on my tests:

• Nikon P600: ~330 shots per charge using EN-EL23 battery.
• Sony HX80: ~390 shots per charge with NP-BX1 battery.

Sony’s longer battery life and smaller size favor day-to-day travel, while Nikon’s heft balances with lens capabilities.

Both cameras offer built-in Wi-Fi, but Sony adds NFC for easy pairing. Neither support Bluetooth connectivity.

Reliability and Workflow Integration for Professional Work

Both cameras record in JPEG only, lacking RAW support, which limits post-processing control essential for professionals. File handling is standard, and both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - but only the Sony HX80 supports Memory Stick formats as well.

Neither has environmental sealing or professional-grade durability, so these models best serve enthusiast or casual roles.

Final Eye-Candy: Sample Photos from Both Cameras

Seeing is believing. Here are sample gallery images showcasing real-world captures from both cameras in various lighting and zoom scenarios.

Nikon P600 front Nikon P600 screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

The Nikon images show excellent reach and detail at full zoom but with slightly more noise visible. The Sony shots appear sharper overall with better color subtly and higher frame rate captures, particularly steady in action shots.

Wrapping Up the Numbers: Performance Ratings At A Glance

I compiled my evaluation scores considering image quality, handling, speed, and value.

• Nikon P600 scores highly for zoom range and ergonomics.
• Sony HX80 scores better for autofocus, video, and portability.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Here is how they stand across different photography categories.

• Wildlife & Telephoto: Nikon leads.
• Sports & Action: Sony leads.
• Travel & Street: Sony leads.
• Portrait & Macro: Tight call, Nikon slightly better for macro.
• Video: Sony slightly better.
• Low Light/Night: Sony better.
• Professional Use: Both limited; neither fully suited.

Conclusion: Who Should Choose Which?

Having spent extensive hours testing both cameras, here are my summarized recommendations.

Choose the Nikon P600 if:

• You want extreme telephoto reach for wildlife or nature.
• You appreciate a traditional, substantial grip with manual exposure dials.
• You prioritize close macro focusing.
• You’re okay with a larger, heavier camera.

Choose the Sony HX80 if:

• You want ultra-portability for travel and street photography.
• You need faster autofocus and burst rates for sports/action.
• You want better video capabilities at 60 fps.
• You prefer a more modern interface with Wi-Fi and NFC.
• You seek longer battery life in a compact body.

Tips for Maximizing These Cameras

• Use the Nikon’s zoom wisely: crop post-shot to improve image quality.
• For both, enable optical stabilization at all times to counteract handshake.
• Shoot in bright daylight or use flash indoors - low light results are noise-prone.
• Take advantage of exposure compensation to manage dynamic range.

I hope this thorough comparison, drawing on my hands-on professional experience and technical analysis, helps you decide which superzoom companion fits your photographic adventures best. Feel free to reach out if you want deeper dives into specific shooting situations.

Happy shooting!