Nikon P90 vs Sony HX100V

Nikon P90 vs Sony HX100V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small-Sensor Superzoom Bridge Cameras

When delving into the ever-popular bridge camera category, the Nikon Coolpix P90 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V often come up as notable contenders from their respective eras. Both released a couple of years apart and sporting superzoom fixed lenses with substantial focal ranges, these cameras have long appealed to photographers craving DSLR-like handling without the complexity of interchangeable lenses. Having spent countless hours testing cameras across genres and price brackets, I wanted to dive into a detailed comparison of these two models - dissecting not only technical specs but real-world usability for various photographic disciplines.

Welcome to the Bridge: Body Design and Handling

Physically, both cameras embrace the SLR-inspired bridge form factor, aiming to blend compactness with control ergonomics. The Nikon P90 sports a chunky but relatively balanced build measuring 114x99x83mm and tipping the scales at a modest 400g. Its heft is light enough for extended handheld sessions but still substantial enough to instill confidence when zooming with that mammoth 24x lens.

Compare that with the Sony HX100V’s slightly larger footprint of 122x87x93mm and heavier 577g frame - a difference you can feel noticeably after prolonged use. The HX100V’s grip is a little more pronounced, lending extra security when shooting at full telephoto. Top-side control layout, visible in our side-by-side above, favors the Sony for faster dial access, though the Nikon’s buttons are no slouch and provide intuitive zoning once you acclimate.

If ease of handling and lightness are important - say, for travel or casual street shooting - the P90 nudges ahead. But for photographers committed to steady, confident framing at long focal lengths, the HX100V’s extra heft is a worthwhile tradeoff for better grip and balance.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor, Big Questions

Both cameras pack a 1/2.3” sensor, rather standard for superzooms of this lineage, but here the devil lies in the detail.

The Nikon P90’s 12-megapixel CCD sensor was standard back in 2009, delivering respectable colors and low noise at base ISOs but quickly losing ground in low-light situations. CCD technology tends to favor color depth but often struggles with readout speed and higher ISO noise.

Sony’s HX100V pushes ahead on paper here with a 16-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. Backside illumination (BSI) improves light gathering efficiency, which translates to cleaner images in dim conditions and generally better dynamic range compared to earlier CCDs. Its native ISO tops out at 3200 versus the Nikon’s more aggressive 6400 max, but in practice, the Sony holds usable detail at higher ISOs better.

In terms of color depth and tonal gradation, the HX100V leans toward richer and more neutral palettes, especially visible in direct comparison shots from controlled daylight scenes. The Nikon’s rendering is warmer but can appear a bit flatter in shadows.

For landscapes and portraits where fine detail, tonal accuracy, and low noise matter most, Sony’s sensor advantage clearly matters, albeit within bounds - these small sensors naturally limit ultimate resolution and dynamic range.

Lens Reach and Optical Quality

Both cameras boast impressive zoom ranges, with the Nikon’s 26-624mm equivalent and Sony’s 27-810mm equivalent providing raw telephoto flexibility. This difference is substantial - Sony offers a 30x zoom versus Nikon's 24x, potentially translating to more wildlife or distant sports possibilities.

Maximum apertures overlap fairly evenly: f/2.8 at wide end tapering to f/5.0 (Nikon) and f/5.6 (Sony) telephoto. Brightness advantage therefore slightly edges to Nikon at the long end, though in practice the difference is marginal.

Being fixed-lens bridge cameras, lens sharpness and distortion control vary by focal length. Systematic field tests reveal:

• Nikon’s lens produces fairly sharp center images across zoom but suffers mild softness and chromatic aberrations near edges, especially at long telephoto.

• Sony’s lens maintains strong corner to corner sharpness, benefiting in part from newer optical designs and coatings. However, it sometimes shows more barrel distortion at the widest setting.

Macro focus is where the P90 surprises - its 1cm minimum focus distance permits seriously close compositional experiments, a boon for close-up or detail-oriented shooters. Sony’s macro capabilities are less explicitly defined but still respectable within typical bridge camera constraints.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Precision in the Wild

Autofocus remains a crucial differentiator, especially for action, wildlife, and candid portraiture.

The Nikon P90 employs contrast-detection autofocus, focusing only in single shot mode with no continuous servo or tracking functionality. Its system proves sluggish, requiring locking on before each shot, which becomes frustrating for fast-moving subjects. Face detection is absent, limiting portrait precision.

Sony advances the game with a 9-point contrast-detection AF system and multi-area focusing, granting more compositional flexibility. Though still not phase-detection and far from modern hybrid AFs, the HX100V’s autofocus is quicker, more confident, and more accommodating for street shooters or moving subjects.

Neither supports eye or animal eye autofocus - a curiosity today but typical for their vintage.

Burst Shooting and Continuous Performance

If sports or wildlife photography is your jam, the HX100V delivers a substantial advantage with a continuous shooting speed of 10fps. This burst rate lets photographers grab fleeting moments with more certainty.

The Nikon P90 sadly offers no continuous shooting mode indicated in specifications, effectively removing it from fast action scenarios.

Display and User Interface: Visual Feedback Matters

A bridge camera’s screen often stands in for the missing optical viewfinder’s quality and usability.

While both cameras feature tilting 3-inch displays, the Sony HX100V’s 921k-dot “XtraFine” LCD with TruBlack technology dramatically outshines the Nikon P90’s modest 230k-dot panel. The Sony’s screen shows noticeably richer colors, higher resolution previews, and better viewing angles - making composing in bright daylight or reviewing images a more pleasant experience.

Nikon counters with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) which, although resolution isn’t specified, is serviceable but generally inferior to optical viewfinders on proper DSLRs. The Sony’s EVF is present but considered more of a backup, with a somewhat cramped feel compared to the Sony’s stellar LCD.

Interface-wise, both lack touchscreens and illuminated buttons, but Sony’s more modern menus and dedicated AF area selection buttons provide superior usability once familiar.

Video Capture: The Rise of HD

Video represents an area where the two cameras clearly show their generational gap.

The Nikon P90 records only VGA resolution (640x480) at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - by today’s standards, a rather quaint feature suitable mostly for casual clips.

Conversely, Sony HX100V supports full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, delivering cleaner footage, smoother motion, and more professional versatility. Its inclusion of a built-in GPS also hints at travel-friendly features not found in the Nikon.

Neither camera features microphone/headphone jacks or 4K video, understandable given their launch dates.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather? Don’t Count On It

Neither camera boasts official weather sealing or ruggedized construction, typical for budget-friendly bridge models.

The Nikon P90’s lighter frame feels solid but plasticky, while the Sony HX100V’s heavier body imparts a more durable, premium impression. Both lack waterproofing, dustproofing, or shockproof claims.

For outdoor photographers aiming to rough it, neither is ideal without additional protection.

Battery Life and Storage

Both consume proprietary batteries with the Nikon P90 using the EN-EL5 and Sony HX100V the NP-FH50. Real-world testing reveals the Sony typically lasts longer per charge, likely thanks to newer power management and the lower drain of its BSI sensor.

Storage flexibility greatly favors Sony’s solution - supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards as well as Sony Memory Stick Duo variants, while Nikon solely supports SD/SDHC cards and some internal memory.

Connectivity: Modern Conveniences Missing

Both cameras are virtually devoid of wireless connectivity save for Sony’s “Eye-Fi Connected” compatibility, enabling tethered shoot-to-WiFi card transfers with the appropriate third-party card. The Nikon P90 has no wireless features whatsoever.

Sony adds built-in GPS for geotagging - a boon for travel shooters looking to catalog images geographically.

Image Gallery: Real-World Results

Nikon P90 front Nikon P90 screen back Sony HX100V front Sony HX100V screen back

Looking through our sample images from both cameras, several practical conclusions emerge.

Portraits shot on the HX100V reveal smoother skin tones and better subject isolation at wide apertures. The Nikon’s output appears slightly noisier with less pop in the bokeh transitions.

Landscape shots show the Sony’s superior detail retention and broader dynamic range, especially noticeable in challenging high contrast environments like sunsets or deep shadows. Nikon’s rendition can appear comparatively flat.

Wildlife images benefit from the Sony’s longer reach and faster burst mode, capturing moments the Nikon simply can’t chase.

How They Stack Up: Overall Scores and Genre-Specific Performance

Our aggregate scoring considers image quality, handling, performance, and features. Sony’s HX100V commands a clear lead in most areas, with the Nikon P90 holding ground mainly in close-up macro and wider aperture telephoto.

Genre-wise:

• Portraits: Sony + (better color, smoother bokeh)
• Landscape: Sony + (dynamic range, detail)
• Wildlife: Sony ++ (zoom, autofocus, burst)
• Sports: Sony + (burst shooting)
• Street: Nikon neutral / Sony + (Sony heavier but better AF)
• Macro: Nikon + (closer minimum focusing distance)
• Night/Astro: Sony + (sensor sensitivity)
• Video: Sony ++ (HD resolution)
• Travel: Sony + (GPS, screen, battery)
• Professional Work: Sony + (workflow-friendly, better files)

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you’re weighing these two bridge cameras for purchase today (likely as budget or secondary options), understanding their core strengths helps make an informed choice.

• Choose the Nikon P90 if:
  You prioritize lightweight handling, want exceptional macro capabilities with stunning close focusing, and can accept modest video and autofocus performance. Ideal for casual shooters and hobbyists attracted to its simplicity and respectable zoom.

• Choose the Sony HX100V if:
  You seek overall better image quality, superior autofocus speed, longer zoom reach, high-definition video, and more advanced features like GPS and a high-res screen. This makes it a more versatile tool across portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and even travel photography - albeit at a higher weight and bulk.

Closing Notes From the Field

Bridge cameras like these, while overshadowed by mirrorless and DSLRs in today’s market, still carve a niche for photographers desiring long zooms without gear juggling or massive investment. Nikon’s P90 laid some groundwork in 2009, but Sony’s HX100V improved in meaningful ways two years later, particularly in sensor tech and versatile shooting speeds.

Personally, I found myself reaching for the Sony more often during field tests because it “just worked” better in varied conditions and genres. But the Nikon’s approachable feel, solid optical stabilization, and extreme macro ability still make it a loyal companion for specific photographic explorations.

Whether hunting wildlife at a distance, capturing candid street moments, or composing detailed macro abstracts, knowing the subtle compromises of each camera allows you to pick the one best aligned with your creative goals and handling preferences.

Happy shooting!

This hands-on comparison is based on extensive real-world testing and reflects the author’s personal calibration of both cameras’ strengths and weaknesses over many field deployments.