Nikon P90 vs Nikon P900: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When evaluating superzoom bridge cameras, Nikon’s Coolpix P90 and P900 models often come up as popular choices, though separated by nearly six years of technological advancements. I’ve spent considerable time with both in the field - shooting wildlife from dawn till dusk, capturing landscapes, portraits, and everyday travel scenarios - to give you a thorough comparison rooted in real-world use and technical insights. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast considering a budget-friendly superzoom or a pro eyeing high reach flexibility without lugging multiple lenses, this detailed guide will help you understand the practical differences, strengths, and compromises between these two models.

Seeing Them Side by Side: Size, Handling, and Build

The Nikon Coolpix P90, announced in early 2009, was a strong contender in the small-sensor superzoom category boasting a 24x zoom and a compact design for its class. Six years later, the P900 expanded the zoom range dramatically to an 83.3x, but with size and weight penalties. Let’s look at the physical ergonomics.

Nikon P90 (114 x 99 x 83mm, 400g):

• SLR-style bridge design with well-placed grip and controls
• Relatively compact and lightweight, easy to hold for extended periods
• 3-inch tilting display with 230k resolution, no touchscreen

Nikon P900 (140 x 103 x 137mm, 899g):

• Bulkier SLR-style body, nearly twice the weight of the P90
• Robust handgrip, but noticeably heavier, impacts portability on long hikes
• 3-inch fully articulated screen with high resolution (921k), increases framing flexibility, especially for low/high angles

I personally found the P90 to be more convenient for street and travel shooting owing to its smaller footprint and lighter weight. The P900, despite the heft, feels rock-solid and its articulating screen provides undeniable value in creative compositions or tripod work, such as macro or video.

A Design Close-Up: Button Layout and Interface

Examining the control scheme and external interface provides insight into usability and shooting speed. I conducted methodical comparisons under various conditions.

The P90 sports a functional but somewhat dated control layout with fewer dedicated buttons and less illuminated feedback, making it slightly less intuitive in low light. Conversely, the P900 benefits from an improved system:

• Dedicated AF mode and ISO buttons
• Easy access to exposure compensation and drive modes
• Bright, electronic viewfinder (921k resolution, 100% coverage) vs. P90’s basic EVF with limited specs
• Wireless connectivity buttons prominently placed on the P900 (Bluetooth, WiFi)

For quick adjustments, especially in fast-paced wildlife or sports situations, the P900’s superior button arrangement proved a blessing. The P90 remains serviceable but takes longer to navigate menus.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Yet Significant Differences

Both cameras rely on the familiar 1/2.3” sensor size, typical for bridge superzooms, but Nikon upped the ante with its P900’s 16-megapixel CMOS sensor compared to the P90’s 12-megapixel CCD. While this may seem incremental, real-world implications are notable.

Key Specs Comparison:

What I Observed During Testing:

• The P900’s CMOS sensor delivers cleaner images with better noise control at higher ISOs, critical for low light shooting and night photography.
• Dynamic range improvements are noticeable, especially in landscape shots where highlights and shadows retain more detail.
• The P90 produces decent images at base ISO, but grain becomes intrusive beyond ISO 400.
• Video image quality markedly improves on the P900, owing to sensor and processor upgrades.

For enthusiasts focused on low light, travel, or video, the P900’s sensor offers a clear advantage. The P90 is better suited for daytime, well-lit scenarios.

Viewing and Composing: Screen and EVF Performance

Having a good viewfinder and LCD screen is essential, particularly for a camera with an extensive zoom range.

• P90's 3-inch tilting screen (230k dots) provides basic framing capability but shows limited detail and narrow viewing angles; no touchscreen interactivity means all adjustments rely on physical buttons
• P900's 3-inch fully articulated screen (921k dots) enables precise composition and menu navigation with bright, sharp feedback even in sunlight
• The P900’s EVF is a standout, offering 100% coverage and a high-res image, mitigating shake during heavy zoom shots. The P90’s EVF is dimmer and lackluster by comparison.

I made extensive use of the P900’s viewfinder on wildlife shoots, finding it easier to track distant birds. The P90’s EVF sufficed but required more care against strain and fatigue.

Focusing Performance and Autofocus System

Autofocus is one area where technology leaps between 2009 and 2015 are most evident.

I ran real-world autofocus tests shooting moving subjects such as pets and street scenes:

• The P900’s AF was consistently faster and more reliable for tracking subjects, including continuous autofocus mode, which the P90 lacks.
• Face detection on the P900 provides more accuracy for portrait and event photography.
• The P90 requires more manual focus intervention, especially at long zoom lengths where contrast hunting is slow.

If wildlife, sports, or dynamic street photography is your focus, the P900’s autofocus system is a major step up.

Zoom Capability: Reach and Practicality Reviewed

One of the defining features for both cameras is their superzoom lenses:

Nikon P90 front Nikon P90 screen back Nikon P900 front Nikon P900 screen back

• The P90’s zoom is solid for everyday telephoto needs - portraits with nice bokeh and casual wildlife shooting.
• The P900 pushes far beyond, enabling extreme long-distance shots, hitting birds on distant branches or lunar photos straight out of the box.
• However, extreme zoom on the P900 requires stable support as even slight shake creates blur despite stabilization.

During field tests, the P900 enabled capturing subjects previously out of reach with the P90’s lens. The tradeoff is a heavier body and marginally slower apertures at the tele end, reducing light intake.

Burst Rate and Shutter Speed for Action Photography

Fast shutter speeds and burst capabilities can make or break sports and wildlife shots.

The P90 lacks continuous shooting mode, limiting its ability to capture fast sequences of action. The P900 offers a competitive 7 frames per second burst rate, allowing more frames for choosing the perfect moment. Both cameras support standard shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes for creative control.

For sports photographers, the P900 is clearly superior operationally.

Video Recording Features Compared

Though both cameras are primarily photo-focused, video specs have evolved significantly.

The P90’s video is basic, suitable for casual use only. The P900 provides full HD video with better compression, frame rate flexibility, and general visual quality, though it still lacks microphone input for professional audio capture.

If video is secondary for you, the P900 offers more engaging options; the P90 lags far behind in this regard.

Weather Resistance and Durability

Neither camera offers formal weather sealing, shockproofing, or other rugged protections important for serious outdoor use. The P900’s body build feels more robust, but owners should consider protective gear or cautious handling when shooting in harsh environments.

Battery Life and Storage

The P900 offers markedly better battery life due to updated energy-efficient electronics and higher-capacity battery packs. If extended shooting sessions without access to charging are planned, the P900 is preferable.

Connectivity and Extras

The inclusion of wireless features and GPS in the P900 caters well to modern travel and social media sharing workflows.

Performance and Value Summary

Who Should Choose the Nikon P90?

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight for a superzoom in its class
• Good optical image stabilization for handheld telephoto
• Relatively budget-friendly (around $700 at launch)
• Simple interface ideal for casual users seeking an all-in-one zoom solution

Cons:

• Limited zoom range (24x vs. 83x)
• Older CCD sensor with higher noise levels
• No continuous AF or burst shooting
• Poor video capabilities and lack of connectivity features

If you mostly shoot in daylight, enjoy casual travel photography, or want a lightweight companion for occasional telephoto without breaking the bank, the P90 remains a solid choice, especially in used/certified resell markets.

For Whom Is the Nikon P900 Ideal?

Pros:

• Massive 83.3x zoom lens for extreme reach
• Higher resolution CMOS sensor with cleaner images and better low-light capability
• Responsive, multi-mode AF system with tracking and face detection
• High-res electronic viewfinder and fully articulated rear screen
• Full HD video with smooth frame rates
• Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and HDMI output
• Decent battery life for all-day shooting

Cons:

• Nearly twice the size and weight of P90, impacting portability
• Max aperture narrows at telephoto end (f/6.5), requiring more light or higher ISO
• No raw file support limits postprocessing flexibility
• No weather sealing demands careful handling outdoors

The P900 suits travel photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and hobbyists wanting extreme telephoto power without investing in interchangeable lenses. Its versatility covers landscapes, portraits, street, and video, albeit with compromises in bulk.

My Testing Methodology Brief

Over multiple sessions, I tested both cameras across diverse scenarios - wildlife hides at varying distances, city street walks at night, macro experiments, and controlled lab tests for ISO and dynamic range. For autofocus and burst tests, I tracked moving subjects like birds and running pets. Video tests included handheld panning and low-light indoors. I also measured ergonomics through prolonged handheld use and menu navigation to gauge user experience.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Nikon P90 and P900 boils down to your priorities and budget constraints.

• Choose the Nikon P90 if:

  • You want a lighter, simpler camera with decent zoom for casual photography.
  • Budget is tight, or you find a great used deal.
  • Your shooting is mostly daylight and static subjects.

• Choose the Nikon P900 if:

  • You need extreme zoom reach for distant subjects (wildlife, moon, sports).
  • You value improved autofocus, video capability, and connectivity.
  • You’re willing to carry heavier gear for the sake of versatility and image quality.

Both cameras highlight Nikon’s entry into advanced bridge camera territory, but the P900’s upgrades reflect six years of meaningful tech progression. If you prioritize image quality, autofocus, and long-reach shooting, the P900 is well worth the slightly higher price and bulk.

In the evolving superzoom category, no camera is perfect, but through careful testing, I’ve seen these two serve different user niches exceptionally well. I hope my hands-on insights help you pick the camera that fits your photographic style and ambitions best.

Happy shooting!