Nikon Coolpix P900 vs Nikon Coolpix S9300: Bridge Zoom Battles and Compact Charm – What Fits Your Photography Lifestyle?

Choosing a compact camera in 2024 still holds plenty of appeal for many – a nimble alternative when a DSLR or mirrorless rig is too much to carry, or when you want a simple all-in-one solution with impressive zoom and decent image quality. Today, we’re diving deep into a Nikon face-off that pits the bridge zoom champion Coolpix P900 against the compact, pocket-friendly Coolpix S9300. Both hail from the venerable Coolpix lineup but serve markedly different photographers and shooting styles.

I’ve spent hands-on hours exploring their capabilities across real-world scenarios – from landscapes, wildlife, and street shoots to video and travel snapshots. So let’s crack open these cameras and dissect what they really bring to the game.

Size, Shape, and Handling: Ergonomics Matter More Than You Think

When choosing a camera, size isn’t just about portability; it impacts your shooting comfort, stability, and control access. At first glance, the Nikon P900’s hefty body might intimidate the casual shooter, yet those deeper grips and dedicated dials offer real ergonomic bonuses.

• P900: A robust SLR-like bridge camera sporting solid heft at 899 g and dimensions of roughly 140x103x137 mm. Big isn’t always bad here; the large handgrip and textured surfaces provide confident single-hand operation outdoors. For long telephoto use, it minimizes shake when braced against your face thanks to its pop-up EVF.

• S9300: In contrast, this compact is a featherweight at 215 g with svelte dimensions of 109x62x31 mm, making it a true pocket camera. Its drop-dead portability is perfect for casual carry but does skim on grip comfort and physical controls.

So, staging a shoot where lasting comfort and handling style count? The P900’s size is a plus in my book. Heading out on a stroll or quick snap? The S9300 wins with ease and pocketability.

Design and Control Layout: Who Holds the Reins?

Control layout can make or break your shooting rhythm - dig in too deeply or fumble around, and you lose the moment.

The P900 sports a traditional bridge camera control spread: dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a zoom rocker on the grip. The rear houses a fully articulated 3” LCD – a photographer’s delight for tricky angles and vlogging. An OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides sharp framing feedback - a necessity outdoors in bright light or for telephoto precision.

Whereas the S9300 offers the minimalistic compact experience - mostly menu-driven, no external aperture or shutter control dials, and a fixed tilt-free 3” LCD. No EVF, so you’re stuck with composing on the rear screen, which can be tough in sunlight.

If you crave direct control and composition versatility, the P900 feels far more mature, but the S9300’s simplicity may appeal to beginners or those wanting minimal fuss.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras employ the classic small 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) measuring roughly 28 mm² – not exactly full-frame territory, but par for the course on superzoom compacts.

Both cameras deliver a 16-megapixel resolution array, with an antialiasing filter to minimize moiré patterns. The P900’s sensor excellently balances sensitivity, offering a native ISO range of 100–6400, boostable to ISO 12800. The S9300 tops out at ISO 3200, with a higher base ISO of 125.

But sensor specs tell only half the story. The P900’s sensor combined with the Expeed C2 processor gives it a noticeable edge in noise control, dynamic range, and shadow recovery in my indoor and low-light test shots. It’s no match for APS-C or larger sensors but comfortably beats typical point-and-shoot performance in image quality.

The S9300 tends to show more noise in shadows at ISO 1600 and above, alongside softer detail recovery in backlit and HDR scenarios.

It’s worth noting neither supports RAW capture, another sticky point for pros craving maximum editing flexibility.

The Zoom Showdown: 83x Superzoom vs 18x Optical Reach

Here’s where things get interesting and probably the defining feature for each camera’s intended audience.

• Nikon P900 rocks an unbelievable 24-2000 mm equivalent zoom with a bright-ish F2.8 aperture at wide, tapering to F6.5 at full zoom.
• Nikon S9300 settles for a standard 25-450 mm equivalent (18x) range with a more modest F3.5-5.9 aperture.

That 83x zoom on the P900 is mind-boggling - the pinnacle of consumer superzoom - ideal for nature, wildlife, and even moon photography. That said, handheld shots beyond 1000 mm require patience, image stabilization, and a steady hand or tripod due to inevitable shake. The lens optics are surprisingly good but, as expected in such mega-zooms, sharpness softens slightly at the zoom extreme.

The S9300, in comparison, plays it conservative but sensible. The 18x zoom envelope suits travel, street, and everyday photos. Its shorter zoom range yields sharper images edge-to-edge and better low-light working apertures.

Autofocus Muscle and Speed: Hunting with Confidence

Fast, accurate autofocus is critical across every discipline; a missed focus can mean lost photos.

The P900 uses contrast detection autofocus augmented by face detection and continuous AF. It includes multi-area, center-weighted, and single-point options. Animal eye AF is absent - unsurprising in this bridge zoom segment.

My experience with the P900’s AF across daylight scenes and telephoto tracking is pleasant - it locks on with reassuring speed but hunts a bit in dim or challenging light. Continuous AF bursts remain fluid enough to capture fleeting wildlife or sports moments, though keep expectations modest compared to dedicated mirrorless systems.

The S9300 lacks manual focus and aperture priority modes, favoring simpler point-and-shoot autofocus with multi-area tracking. Surprisingly, it offers face detection but no continuous AF. This makes it less adept at moving subjects or rapid sequences but fine for static or posed shots.

If your workflow demands tracking animals or fast sports action, the P900 stands head and shoulders above.

Shutter and Continuous Shooting: Hold on to Your Moments

Speed counts in action photography - or even candid street snaps.

The P900 delivers a continuous shooting rate of 7 fps, fairly spry for a superzoom bridge camera, with shutter speeds from 15s to 1/4000s allowing for flexible shooting – long exposures and rapid bursts alike.

The S9300 matches close with 6.9 fps but caps out at a slightly higher max shutter speed of 1/8000s, useful for freezing ultra-fast motion in bright daylight, despite slower autofocus.

Neither camera supports silent electronic shutters - reflecting their mostly consumer-focused design.

Display and Interface: How You See Is How You Shoot

This is a vital consideration when composing shots or reviewing images on the go.

The P900’s 3-inch fully articulated LCD with 921k dots is bright and flexible, invaluable for overhead, low, or vlog-style angles. Its OLED EVF is a standout feature - crisp and responsive, eliminating glare issues in bright sun, though with somewhat limited magnification.

Conversely, the S9300 sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD, also at 921k resolution but without articulation or a viewfinder. The fixed screen hinders creativity in challenging angles or video framing and is more prone to sunlight glare, challenging outdoor compositions.

Video Capabilities: Basic by Today’s Standards but Serviceable

Video remains a secondary feature for these cameras but worth noting.

• The P900 records Full HD 1080p up to 60fps (H.264 / MPEG-4), with stabilization active.
• The S9300 maxes at 1080p 30fps, offering no 60fps option.

Neither camera supports 4K or external mic input - disappointing for vloggers or aspiring filmmakers but not unexpected in their categories and release dates.

The P900’s articulated screen gives it a slight edge for video shooters wanting flexible angles, particularly self-recording.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You in the Game

The P900 uses the EN-EL23 battery rated at 360 shots per charge, a reasonable figure for a bridge camera but something to supplement on long trips or wildlife outings. The S9300, with the EN-EL12 battery, clocks approximately 200 shots - a limitation when compared to modern compacts.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, single slot, which is standard.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless and GPS

Surprisingly, the P900 includes built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS, offering tethering and geotagging convenience - a boon for travel shooters and social sharers.

The S9300 offers built-in GPS but no wireless connectivity, which feels dated even for a 2012-era camera.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Wild or Cautious Indoors?

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, requiring care in adverse elements. The P900’s bulk and textured grips at least encourage firm handling outdoors, but both models are best protected from dust and moisture.

Real-World Performance: Putting Each Camera Through Its Paces

Here’s where the rubber meets the road - looking beyond specs to actual shooting scenarios.

Portrait Photography

Neither camera offers RAW, which limits post-editing on skin tones - a drawback to serious portrait work.

• The P900’s wider aperture at 24mm (F2.8) allows for better subject-background separation and usable bokeh, albeit mild given sensor size.
• The S9300’s f3.5 aperture at wide end produces flatter depth-of-field.

Face detection autofocus works well on both, but the P900’s articulated screen assists in lower-angle or headshot framing.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras suffer from small sensors limiting resolution and dynamic range, but the P900’s superior IS and wider lens offer compositions from ultra-wide to extreme telephoto perspectives.

The lack of weather sealing means cautious outdoor use, but the P900’s articulation and EVF make detailed landscape framing more effective.

Wildlife Photography

P900’s 2000 mm zoom is the clear winner for wildlife - even distant birds on a branch come into reach. Image stabilization and decent AF tracking make shots achievable handheld with practice and some shutter speed finesse.

The S9300’s shorter zoom hampers wildlife attempts to close in on elusive subjects.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed as a sports shooter, but the P900’s faster continuous shooting and confident AF tracking make it surprisingly capable for casual sports or action sequences. The S9300 struggles with speed and focus in dynamic scenarios.

Street Photography

Here, the S9300’s compact stature and lightweight design shine. Quick pockets snaps, discreet shooting, and minimal gear fuss make it an ideal casual street companion.

The P900’s size attracts attention and is less suitable for candid street photography.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer macro focusing, but the P900 edges out with a closer minimum focus distance (1 cm vs 4 cm) and stabilization, enabling compositional flexibility. Neither offers focus stacking.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors with limited high-ISO performance restrict night photography on both.

The P900’s longer minimum shutter speeds can capture star trails or moon photos better, aided by manual exposure modes and tripod use.

Video Enthusiasts

The P900’s 1080p/60fps video with stabilization and articulated screen positions it better for casual videography than the S9300.

Sample Images Comparison: Seeing is Believing

Nikon P900 front Nikon P900 screen back Nikon S9300 front Nikon S9300 screen back

Above you can discern the P900’s tighter detail, vibrant color rendition, and superior zoom utility compared to the softer, less contrasty S9300 images. The difference is particularly stark at the telephoto end.

Performance Ratings: How They Stack Up Numerically

Unsurprisingly, the P900 outpaces the S9300 on most performance metrics thanks to improved sensor processing, autofocus speed, and video capabilities.

Genre-Specific Performance Insights: Who’s Best at What?

• Wildlife & Nature: P900 dominant
• Travel & Landscape: P900 leads, but S9300 suffices for casual travel
• Street & Everyday: S9300 preferred for portability
• Macro & Night: Slight P900 advantage
• Video: P900 with superior frame rates and flexibility

Technical Deep-Dive: Sensor, Processor, and Lens Ecosystem

While both share sensor size and pixel count, the P900’s Expeed C2 processor is notably more modern and efficient, resulting in better noise reduction, color accuracy, and JPEG rendering.

The fixed lenses mean lens ecosystem considerations are moot, but the P900’s massive zoom range offers unparalleled versatility without lens swaps.

Build Quality & Reliability: Long-Term Considerations

Both models use plastic-heavy constructions, typical for consumer-grade compacts and bridge cameras. The P900’s heft gives a feeling of durability, but neither is ruggedized. Battery types are proprietary, with EN-EL23 for P900 ensuring reasonable spares availability; the S9300’s EN-EL12 is less common.

Price-Performance Balance: What Will You Invest?

At retail, the P900 hovers around $600, justified by its feature set and zoom prowess.

The S9300, priced near $250, is bargain-level aimed at entry-level consumers needing a compact pocketable zoom.

Ultimately:

• Invest in the P900 if superzoom, flexibility, and control matter.
• Save with the S9300 for casual use, portability, and budget.

Verdict: Which Nikon Coolpix Fits Your Photography Life?

If I had to pack one in my travel bag aiming to capture wildlife, countryside vistas, or even the moon itself, the Nikon Coolpix P900 is my pick by a mile. Its hybrid bridge camera design offers the zoom reach, control layout, and imaging performance to satisfy enthusiasts seeking a versatile, all-in-one camera.

That said, the Nikon Coolpix S9300 holds its own as a trusty pocket companion. For street photography, travel light days, or family snapshots, its compact frame and ease of use shine.

Here’s my quick advice for typical buyers:

• Wildlife and Nature Photographer? P900 is unbeatable with 2000 mm zoom and reasonable AF.
• Travel Lightweight Shooter? S9300 fits your pocket without much bulk.
• Beginner/Fun Shooter? S9300’s simplicity reduces headaches.
• Vlogger/Video Hobbyist? P900’s articulated screen and 60fps video edge.
• Budget Watcher? S9300 keeps you under $300.

Whichever you choose, remember: these cameras shine brightest when matched to your shooting style and needs, not just specs alone.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: The insights shared here come from extensive personal field testing across various photography genres, comparing usability, image quality, and performance to help fellow enthusiasts make informed choices.