Clicky

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Released June 2013
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed September 2018
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon S31 versus Sony HX99, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and HX99 (18MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) possess different sensor sizing.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The S31 was introduced 6 years prior to the HX99 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S31 grades versus the HX99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Sony HX99

 S31 HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Nikon S31

 HX99 S31 
RevealedSeptember 2018June 2013Newer by 63 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.00"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Sony HX99

 S31 HX99 

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S31 has got external dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Sony HX99 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S31 versus Sony HX99 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the S31 compared to the HX99.

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S31 and HX99 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking specs. The pic below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S31 and HX99.

All in all, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S31 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony HX99 will give extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged S31 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
lack of RAW support
53
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3-inch)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Nikon S31 Street photography information
Sony HX99 Street photography information
52
environment proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
lack of RAW support
77
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (242 grams)
sensor is small (1/2.3-inch)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S31
Sports photography with Sony HX99
24
environment proof
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
lack of phase detect auto focus
58
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization
decent megapixels (18MP)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
sensor is small (1/2.3-inch)
doesn't have phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Travel photography camera
59
environment proof
has built in flash
good max aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
76
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (242g)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
really wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX99 Landscape photography advice
30
good max aperture (f)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
58
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.00 inch)
has image stabilization
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3-inch)
no Time Lapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging advice
Sony HX99 Vlogging advice
24
good max aperture (f)
wide angle not good (29mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
76
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
has image stabilization
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (242g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no mic socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon S31 vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Sony HX99
 Nikon Coolpix S31Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S31 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-06-21 2018-09-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor dimensions 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 18.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 7.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3.00"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format - AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 grams (0.41 pounds) 242 grams (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 shots 360 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $90 $469