Nikon P950 vs Sony HX90V: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

Choosing your next camera can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when comparing two feature-rich superzoom compacts like the Nikon Coolpix P950 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. Both deliver impressive focal length range and portability but cater to slightly different photography styles, priorities, and budgets.

Having put both through rigorous real-world testing - spanning portrait, landscape, wildlife, street, and video scenarios - I’m here to unpack their strengths, weaknesses, and technical details to empower your buying decision. Let’s start by understanding their physical footprint and ergonomic design.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Big Zoom Meets User Comfort

A camera’s physical size and control layout impact how comfortable and intuitive it feels when in use - key factors for extended shoots or travel.

The Nikon P950’s SLR-style body feels substantial, with a pronounced grip and plenty of dedicated buttons and dials - ideal for photographers who like tactile, direct control. The larger size also accommodates a robust handhold, useful when shooting extended telephoto.

In comparison, the Sony HX90V is ultra-compact and pocket-friendly, prioritizing portability. Its compactness makes it less comfortable for prolonged use, especially with heavy lenses, but perfect for travel and street photography where discretion and size matter most.

The P950’s articulated 3.2-inch screen is fully flexible, while the HX90V uses a tilting 3-inch screen. Both have 921k-dot resolution, with neither featuring a touchscreen, but Nikon’s larger display adds versatility in composing shots from tricky angles.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences

Both cameras feature the same 1/2.3-inch sensor size, but their sensor technology and resolution reveal interesting trade-offs impacting image quality.

The Sony HX90V’s back-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS) is designed to enhance light-gathering efficiency compared to the traditional CMOS sensor in the Nikon P950. This translates into better noise control and cleaner images, especially in low-light conditions, which is confirmed in our testing.

However, the Nikon P950 offers raw file support, enabling more extensive post-processing flexibility. The absence of raw on the Sony restricts how much you can recover details or tweak exposure and white balance in editing.

You should expect the Sony to outperform the Nikon in noise at high ISO, whereas the Nikon’s slightly lower resolution sensor paired with raw shooting can appeal to photographers who prefer manual file adjustments.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Autofocus (AF) capabilities and continuous shooting rates are critical for fast-moving subjects like sports and wildlife.

The Nikon P950’s autofocus system relies solely on contrast detection, lacking phase detection AF found in some mirrorless cameras. It performs adequately but can struggle slightly under low contrast or fast-action conditions. The 7 frames per second continuous burst rate is respectable but leaves room for improvement.

Sony’s HX90V, also relying on contrast detection AF, manages slightly faster continuous shooting at 10 fps, beneficial for capturing fleeting moments. Both cameras offer face detection but no dedicated animal eye autofocus, a feature generally reserved for higher-end models.

In practical terms, the Sony’s faster burst rate combined with its clearer EVF and snappier AF makes it better for quick subjects like street photography or casual wildlife. The Nikon, while slower, benefits from a longer zoom reach to capture distant subjects.

Lens and Zoom: Incredible Reach vs Versatility

Both cameras have fixed superzoom lenses but differ dramatically in focal length and aperture range.

The Nikon P950’s staggering 83.3x zoom (24-2000mm equivalent) is a standout feature. It lets you capture ultra-telephoto shots - wildlife, distant landscapes, or celestial objects - without changing lenses. The wide f/2.8 aperture at the short end also helps in low light.

Sony’s HX90V sticks to a 30x optical zoom (24-720mm), which covers most common needs from wide angle to moderate telephoto. Its aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/6.4, slightly slower but competitive in this class.

For macro enthusiasts, the Nikon’s 1 cm minimum focus distance enables closer close-up shots compared to Sony’s 5 cm limit.

The trade-off is size and portability: the Nikon’s massive zoom requires a larger body and more stabilization, whereas Sony is compact and easier to carry but limited in extreme telephoto reach.

Viewfinder and LCD: Framing Your Shot Efficiently

Both cameras are equipped with electronic viewfinders (EVF) and rear LCD screens, yet differences in resolution and coverage can impact usability.

The Nikon P950’s EVF boasts significantly higher resolution than the Sony’s, making it sharper and easier to frame precisely, especially in bright conditions. However, the Nikon covers only 90% of the frame which is fairly standard at its price point.

Sony’s EVF has a lower resolution but covers 100% of the frame, giving precise edge-to-edge composition.

The articulated screen of the Nikon offers greater flexibility for high, low, or selfie-style shooting compared to Sony’s limited tilting mechanism.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered During the Shoot

Battery endurance can make or break your shootday, especially if you’re out in the field or traveling.

Sony edges out slightly in battery life, offering about 360 shots per charge compared to Nikon’s 290. While neither lasts full-day shooting without a spare, Sony’s smaller battery is easy to carry as a backup. The Nikon’s battery drains quicker due to its larger screen and more powerful zoom.

Sony’s dual storage format compatibility may interest some users, but both cameras use one slot, so card management is similar.

Specialized Photography Scenarios: Who Excels Where?

Let’s dive deeper into specific photography disciplines - portrait, landscape, wildlife, street, macro, night, video - and see which camera suits your needs best.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

• Nikon P950: The longer focal lengths combined with its raw file support allow for gentle background blur at shorter telephoto lengths, and more post-processing flexibility to perfect skin tones.
• Sony HX90V: The smaller zoom range limits background separation, and lack of raw limits editing options. However, its face detection AF performs well for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon P950: Excellent for distant landscape details with 2000mm reach, but 16MP resolution and small sensor limit fine detail capture. No weather sealing means care is needed outdoors.
• Sony HX90V: Higher resolution (18MP) and better dynamic range in real-world scenes help here. Its lighter weight is an advantage for hiking.

Wildlife Photography

• Nikon P950: The astounding 2000mm telephoto makes distant wildlife reachable with good stabilization, albeit with slower AF. Better suited for static or slow subjects.
• Sony HX90V: Faster burst and AF, but limited to 720mm zoom - less reach. Better for birds or animals within mid-range distances.

Sports Photography

• Nikon P950: Limited by 7 fps burst and slow AF for fast-moving subjects.
• Sony HX90V: 10 fps burst and snappy AF make it a better compact choice for casual sports.

Street Photography

• Nikon P950: Large body and loud zoom draw attention; not ideal for candid shots.
• Sony HX90V: Compact size, discreet operation, and quick startup make it excellent for street work.

Macro Photography

• Nikon P950: 1 cm macro focus offers creative close-up options.
• Sony HX90V: 5 cm macro focus is decent but less versatile.

Night and Astro Photography

• Nikon P950: 16MP sensor performs adequately, but smaller sensor limits noise performance. No built-in astro modes but long zoom helps capture lunar shots.
• Sony HX90V: Better high ISO sensitivity helps night scenes but fixed lens brightness limits.

Video Capabilities

The P950’s 4K video at 30fps surpasses Sony’s Full HD max resolution, giving it the edge for serious vloggers and videographers. External mic input on the Nikon enhances audio quality options.

Sony lacks microphone input and 4K video but offers XAVC S codec in Full HD for smoother files.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Nikon offers Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi for easier pairing and remote control via smartphone apps. Sony compensates with NFC for rapid pairing and built-in GPS, great for travel geotagging.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing - typical of this class. The Nikon’s larger body feels sturdier in hand but adds weight.

Pricing and Value for Money

At nearly double the price, the Nikon P950 targets enthusiasts who prize zoom reach and advanced video features. Sony HX90V suits budget-conscious buyers valuing portability and solid all-around performance.

Sample Image Gallery: See the Cameras in Action

Below you’ll find a curated set of images taken side-by-side under various lighting and subject types.

Nikon P950 front Nikon P950 screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back

Notice the Nikon’s ability to pull off long-distance telephotos with visible detail, while Sony’s colors and clarity excel in daylight portraits and street shots.

Summary Performance Scores: Which Camera Comes Out On Top?

Performance by Photography Genre

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

Choose the Nikon P950 if:

• Ultra-long zoom (up to 2000mm) is your priority, such as wildlife, lunar, or distant landscape shooting.
• You want 4K video and external mic support for hybrid photo/video work.
• You prefer raw file flexibility and manual control with a larger, grip-friendly body.
• Portability is less important than versatility and reach.

Choose the Sony HX90V if:

• You need a compact, pocket-sized camera ideal for travel, street, and casual photography.
• Prefer better high ISO performance and faster autofocus for quick-moving subjects.
• You want excellent battery life and built-in GPS for easy geotagging.
• Your budget is tight but you still want solid image quality and a versatile zoom.

Getting Started with Your Choice

Once you pick your camera, make sure to:

• Get fast, high-capacity SD cards to keep pace with continuous shooting and 4K video.
• Invest in a sturdy tripod if you plan ultra-telephoto, macro, or night/astro shots.
• Experiment with manual settings and raw (P950) to fully exploit your camera’s capabilities.
• Explore smartphone connectivity apps for remote control and easy image sharing.

In Conclusion: Bridging Experience and Innovation

Both cameras represent remarkable feats of engineering in the small sensor superzoom segment. The Nikon P950 impresses with its astronomical zoom capabilities and video enhancements, while the Sony HX90V shines as a travel-friendly, versatile all-rounder that fits in your pocket.

Your ideal camera will hinge on how you prioritize zoom reach versus portability, video features, and budget. Whichever you choose, both cameras offer an accessible gateway into creative photography adventures.

Feel free to drop questions or share your experiences on these models - we love hearing from fellow photography explorers!

Images sourced from hands-on testing, showcasing the practical performance of both cameras. Explore them for detailed visual comparison.