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Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
70
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix P90 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Nikon P90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 400g - 114 x 99 x 83mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon P80
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the P90 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P90 was introduced 5 years before the SZ8 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the P90 grades versus the SZ8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P90 over the Panasonic SZ8

 P90 SZ8 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon P90

 SZ8 P90 
ReleasedJanuary 2014February 2009More recent by 59 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon P90 and Panasonic SZ8

 P90 SZ8 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon P90 provides outside dimensions of 114mm x 99mm x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") and a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the P90 against the SZ8.

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the P90 and SZ8 is 70 and 94 respectively.

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by going through specs. The photograph below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the P90 and SZ8.

All in all, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to provide extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older P90 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P90 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
35
resolution is good (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P90 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
55
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon P90
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
37
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P90 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography features
55
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery life (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P90
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
43
you can focus manually
fairly wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery life (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P90 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
24
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
32
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
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Nikon P90 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P90 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix P90Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix P90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-03 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 400 grams (0.88 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 99 x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $700 $275