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Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
95
Imaging
44
Features
25
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V Key Specs

Nikon S3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched February 2013
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2015
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Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the S3500 (20MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3500 was introduced 3 years earlier than the HX90V which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the S3500 grades against the HX90V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Sony HX90V

 S3500 HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Nikon S3500

 HX90V S3500 
AnnouncedApril 2015February 2013More modern by 26 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon S3500 and Sony HX90V

 S3500 HX90V 
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S3500 has exterior dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony HX90V has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the S3500 against the HX90V.

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S3500 and HX90V is 95 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The image here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3500 and HX90V.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon S3500 to provide extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged S3500 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3500 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX90V Portrait photography advice
33
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
45
manual focus
good MP (18MP)
supports face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S3500
Street photography with Sony HX90V
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (129g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S3500
Sports photography with Sony HX90V
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
great battery (360 per charge)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3500 Travel photography factors
Sony HX90V Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others in class (129g)
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
76
great battery (360 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (245g)
good MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse recording
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S3500
Landscape photography with Sony HX90V
40
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
53
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
great battery (360 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3500 Vlogging info
Sony HX90V Vlogging info
31
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (129 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
75
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (245g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no microphone port
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Nikon S3500 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3500 and Sony HX90V
 Nikon Coolpix S3500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S3500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-02-21 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-182mm (7.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.4 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129g (0.28 lbs) 245g (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 360 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $85 $440