Nikon Coolpix P600 vs Sony Cyber-shot WX350: In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right compact superzoom camera can be a challenging endeavor, particularly when comparing two models like the Nikon Coolpix P600 and the Sony Cyber-shot WX350. Released within a week of each other in early 2014, these cameras target users who value extensive zoom ranges in relatively portable bodies. However, their design philosophies, feature sets, and performance nuances vary substantially, affecting their suitability for different photographic applications.

Having rigorously tested and analyzed both cameras over extended shoots, this article unpacks their technical specifications, image quality, handling, and real-world usability across multiple photography disciplines. Our goal is to deliver a balanced, data-driven, and experience-informed comparison that enables photography enthusiasts - from ambitious amateurs to semi-professionals - to choose the model best aligned with their needs and budget.

Physical Design and Handling: Bridge vs Compact

The Nikon P600 embraces a bridge camera design, resembling a DSLR in size and shape, measuring approximately 125 x 85 x 107 mm and weighing 565 grams. This larger form factor accommodates a substantial grip and manual controls, appealing to users who prioritize handling comfort during extended shoots with a powerful zoom lens. The body is predominantly plastic with a textured grip, but it lacks weather sealing or robust environmental protections.

In contrast, the Sony WX350 is a decidedly compact and pocketable camera, at 96 x 55 x 26 mm and 164 grams. Its slim profile and light weight facilitate inconspicuous shooting, especially useful in street, travel, and casual settings where discretion and portability outweigh manual control. Build quality is solid for a compact, though like the P600, it lacks any weather sealing.

Both cameras integrate a 3-inch rear LCD, but their articulation and usability diverge notably (more on that later). The Nikon’s DSLR-like layout includes a conventional mode dial and dedicated exposure compensation dial, crucial for photographers who prefer quick tactile adjustments. The Sony relies heavily on auto exposure and fewer manual controls, emphasizing ease of use over granular control.

Overall, the Nikon’s body favors controlled shooting in handheld scenarios, while the Sony’s compactness favors mobility and subtlety.

Control Interfaces and Operational Ergonomics

The P600’s top panel features a traditional mode dial supporting aperture priority, shutter priority, manual exposure, and program modes, affording advanced users full creative control. Exposure compensation is immediately accessible via a dedicated dial, allowing fine exposure tuning on the fly. The camera also offers customizable buttons for frequently used settings.

The Sony WX350’s top controls are minimalistic, with no physical mode dial and limited manual mode options. Exposure compensation, shutter speed, and aperture are not user-adjustable, emphasizing point-and-shoot simplicity suited for casual or beginner photographers. While this simplifies operation, it restricts creative flexibility.

Neither camera includes illuminated buttons, which can hinder use in low-light environments. The P600’s electronic viewfinder is a useful addition, albeit with no detailed specifications available from the manufacturer; it provides framing aid but pales compared to DSLR or advanced mirrorless viewfinders. The WX350 omits any viewfinder entirely, relying solely on its rear LCD for composition, which may be a drawback under bright conditions.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Metrics

Both cameras share a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor format with nearly identical physical dimensions (approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm), typical of compact superzoom cameras. This sensor size limits native low-light performance and dynamic range compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors but allows for long zooms in a compact form factor.

The Nikon P600’s 16-megapixel sensor integrates an anti-aliasing filter and offers a maximum native ISO of 6400 with an extended ISO boost to 12800. The Sony WX350 features an 18-megapixel variant of the same format with a maximum native ISO of 12800. These resolutions provide adequate detail for 8x10 prints and moderate cropping, but noise becomes a concern above ISO 1600 on both cameras.

Despite similar sensor dimensions, the WX350’s sensor resolution advantage slightly improves detail rendition under good lighting. However, the lack of RAW support on either camera constrains post-processing flexibility, forcing reliance on in-camera JPEG processing with their respective image processors.

In practical shooting tests, both cameras produce acceptable 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio JPEG images, although the Sony’s sharper output sometimes exaggerates noise, while the Nikon produces smoother images but with less micro-detail fidelity. Neither camera exhibits exceptional dynamic range; shadows often clip under challenging contrast, and highlight retention is modest.

Color reproduction on both units is reasonably faithful, with the Nikon displaying warmer skin tones, beneficial for portraiture, and the Sony skewing slightly cooler, which may require in-software adjustments.

The Nikon’s inclusion of an anti-reflection coating on the LCD and optical image stabilization enhances shooting quality, especially at longer focal lengths where camera shake compromises sharpness. Both cameras feature optical stabilization, critical given their extended zoom capabilities.

Display and Live View Experience

The Nikon P600 employs a fully articulated 3-inch TFT LCD with 921k-dot resolution and anti-reflection coating. This articulating screen is highly versatile for awkward shooting angles, including low ground-level or overhead shots, and facilitates self-portrait framing. The higher resolution and anti-reflective treatment improve image review and manual focusing precision.

Conversely, the Sony WX350’s fixed 3-inch LCD offers lower resolution at approximately 460k dots, with no articulated functionality. While adequate for casual framing and playback, this lower resolution partial limits critical focus checking, particularly in bright environments or detailed compositions.

Neither camera supports touch sensitivity on their LCD panels, necessitating reliance on physical controls and menus for parameter adjustments. Users accustomed to touchscreen navigation may find the menus less intuitive.

The Nikon’s live view through the electronic viewfinder or rear LCD provides smoother framing, whereas the Sony’s lack of EVF mandates exclusive use of the LCD, which can impact operation under intense sunlight.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance

A key differentiator between these cameras lies in their zoom lens specifications and resultant photographic versatility. The Nikon P600 sports an extraordinary 24-1440mm equivalent focal length, offering a 60x optical zoom range. This extensive reach caters especially to wildlife, sports, and distant landscape shooting where extreme telephoto capability is necessary.

By contrast, the Sony WX350's lens offers a 25-500mm equivalent zoom with a 20x range, which, while less ambitious, still covers a comprehensive generalist range from moderate wide-angle to reasonably long telephoto. This more modest zoom factor results in a lighter, more compact lens system.

Aperture-wise, both lenses commence around f/3.3 to f/3.5 at their widest focal lengths and narrow gradually toward around f/6.5 at full telephoto. The Nikon’s slightly wider aperture at its wide end confers a minor low-light advantage and shallower depth of field potential.

In testing, Nikon’s lens demonstrates some evident chromatic aberration and edge softness at extreme zoom settings, common within superzoom designs but often mitigated by optical stabilization. Sony’s lens, while less comprehensive in zoom ratio, delivers sharper center-to-edge performance at mid-range focal lengths.

Macro capability favors the Nikon with a focusing range down to 1 cm, enabling close-up shots with substantial subject fill. The Sony lacks a specifically reported macro focus range, limiting its utility for macro enthusiasts.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus (AF) performance significantly impacts user experience, particularly for action or wildlife photography. Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus systems without phase-detection sensors.

The Nikon P600 features face detection with single AF point selection and rudimentary tracking capabilities, but no continuous AF or multiple AF area options. This design means the P600 suits static or slow-moving subjects best but struggles tracking fast action reliably.

The Sony WX350 improves slightly with face detection and multiple selectable AF areas, including a center AF point for rapid acquisition. It also lacks continuous AF modes; however, its AF system responds quickly in favorable lighting, suitable for casual street and travel photography.

Neither model supports advanced features like animal eye AF or subject recognition, reflecting their entry-to-mid-level segment placement.

In practical evaluation, both cameras exhibit hesitation in low contrast or low light, occasionally hunting before lock. The Nikon’s larger body and grip aid steadiness during focusing, but the autofocus speed difference between models is generally marginal.

Nikon P600 front Nikon P600 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Evaluating Image Output: Sample Shots Comparison

Comparing JPEG sample images from both cameras under standardized lighting conditions highlights the practical interpretations of their specifications.

• Portraits: Nikon’s warmer tone reproduction and its capability for closer macro focusing favor portrait work, giving skin tones a more natural appearance. The Sony’s cooler bias requires compensation, though both struggle with background blur due to small sensor depth of field.

• Landscapes: The Sony’s higher resolution advantage manifests as subtle edge sharpness, but Nikon’s wider zoom allows framing distant landscape features inaccessible to the WX350.

• Wildlife and Sports: Nikon’s extreme telephoto reach is transformative for distant subjects. However, the autofocus lag detracts from capturing sharp movement, while Sony’s quicker AF is hampered by shorter zoom.

• Street: Sony’s compactness and rapid zoom retraction enable discreet shooting. Nikon is bulkier and louder, less suitable for candid street photography.

• Macro: Nikon offers superior close focusing, rendering greater detail at near distances.

Overall, while Nikon excels in reach and macro, Sony prioritizes portability and sharper mid-range images.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Specifications

The Nikon P600 offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec and supports continuous shooting at up to 7 frames per second (fps). This combination is respectable for a bridge camera and sufficient for casual action sequences.

Sony WX350 has a slower maximum shutter speed of 1/1600 sec but achieves a higher burst rate of 10 fps, beneficial for rapid spontaneous capture, especially given its fixed-lens and compact design.

Neither camera provides electronic shutter options or silent shutter modes, which limits stealth operation. Additionally, the Nikon supports shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes, contrasting with Sony’s more restrictive fixed exposure.

Performance Summary: Ratings Across Core Metrics

When aggregating performance factors, these cameras present distinct advantages and compromises:

This tabulated evaluation underscores the Nikon’s broader control, longer zoom, and EVF availability against Sony’s superior compactness, higher burst rate, and extended battery endurance.

Exploring Use-Case Suitability by Photography Genre

Portrait Photography

Nikon’s warmer color response, extended zoom, and macro close-focus edge it above Sony for portraits and headshots. The articulated display permits framing flexibility, valuable when shooting from variable angles. Yet, neither camera produces significant bokeh separation due to small sensors and narrow maximum apertures - professionals would find these limiting.

Landscape Photography

Nikon’s 24mm ultra-wide coverage captures sweeping vistas that the Sony’s 25mm cannot notably improve upon, but Nikon’s image softness at extremes reduces some advantage. Weather sealing is absent in both, requiring caution in challenging environments.

Wildlife Photography

The Nikon’s massive 1440mm equivalent zoom is a game-changer, enabling photographers to fill the frame with distant subjects. However, its lack of sustained AF tracking and slower burst rates restrict action shots. Sony’s faster burst helps in quick moments but telephoto reach is insufficient.

Sports Photography

Both models are suboptimal for fast-paced sports, lacking continuous AF and high shutter speeds. Sony’s 10 fps burst is helpful for brief action, while Nikon’s longer zoom helps capture distant angles.

Street Photography

Sony’s discreet size and minimal shutter noise are assets. Nikon’s bulk and apparent zoom noise make it less stealthy.

Macro Photography

Nikon’s 1 cm macro capability is a notable advantage. Sony’s unspecified macro focus range limits close-up creativity.

Night and Astrophotography

Small sensors with limited ISO performance constrain low-light usability. The Nikon’s higher ISO range slightly aids exposure flexibility, but noise is pronounced at higher ISOs on both.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras record full HD (1920x1080) video at 60i/30p. Nikon supports MPEG-4 and H.264, Sony uses AVCHD. Neither supports 4K or microphone/headphone jacks, limiting professional video uses. Optical stabilization is present, helping handheld recording. The Nikon offers more exposure control during video.

Travel Photography

Sony’s lightweight build, long battery life, and compact form invite travel use. Nikon’s heavy, larger design is less convenient for portability despite more versatile zoom.

Professional Work

Neither camera supports RAW output or ruggedized construction, limiting professional application. Nikon’s manual exposure modes assist creative control, but overall capability falls short of professional standards.

Connectivity, Battery Life, and Storage

Both cameras integrate built-in Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer but lack Bluetooth or NFC connectivity. Neither supports GPS geotagging, potentially restricting streamlined travel workflows.

Battery-wise, the Nikon’s EN-EL23 pack sustains approximately 330 shots per charge - average for its class. Sony’s NP-BX1 offers an impressive 470 shots, advantageous for long shooting sessions without frequent recharging.

Each camera supports standard SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, with the Sony also compatible with Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo formats, a consideration for users with existing media ecosystems.

Price-to-Performance and Market Positioning

Retail prices at launch positioned the Nikon P600 at approximately $750, reflecting its extensive zoom and manual controls, whereas Sony’s WX350 entered at around $270, emphasizing affordability and portability over advanced features.

For photographers valuing zoom reach and exposure flexibility, the Nikon justifies its premium. Conversely, for casual shooters prioritizing portability, extended battery life, and quick operation, Sony’s WX350 is a prudent purchase.

Final Recommendations: Matching Cameras to User Profiles

Closing Thoughts

The Nikon Coolpix P600 and Sony Cyber-shot WX350, while launched simultaneously within the small sensor superzoom category, cater to overlapping but distinct user bases. The P600’s extensive zoom and manual controls reward photographers who accept trade-offs in portability for image framing flexibility and telephoto reach. The Sony WX350’s focus on compactness, faster burst shooting, and longer battery life appeals to photographers favoring mobility and straightforward operation.

Both share inherent limitations from their sensor format, including noise and dynamic range constraints, but provide accessible platforms for enthusiast superzoom photography.

Prospective buyers should carefully weigh the importance of zoom range against size, control needs against ease of use, and budget constraints to select the camera that optimally complements their photographic style and ambitions.

This comparative analysis is based on extensive hands-on testing, image quality evaluation, and usability assessments conducted across diverse shooting situations, ensuring an expert perspective to inform your investment.