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Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon S9300
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony HX200V
  • Renewed by Sony HX400V
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Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Nikon S9100 versus Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the S9100 (12MP) and HX300 (20MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was revealed 19 months earlier than the HX300 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon S9100 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the S9100 matches up against the HX300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Sony HX300

 S9100 HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Nikon S9100

 HX300 S9100 
LaunchedFebruary 2013July 2011More modern by 19 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Sony HX300

 S9100 HX300 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S9100 features physical measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony HX300 has dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9100 versus Sony HX300 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the S9100 and the HX300.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S9100 and HX300 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The pic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S9100 and HX300.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony HX300 to give greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged S9100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX300 Portrait photography factors
32
you can focus manually
supports face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
42
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 Street photography features
Sony HX300 Street photography features
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than average in class (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9100
Sports photography with Sony HX300
36
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (270 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
55
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 Travel photography information
Sony HX300 Travel photography information
61
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (270 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (623g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 Landscape photography info
Sony HX300 Landscape photography info
39
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery (270 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
48
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 Vlogging information
Sony HX300 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
25
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of external mic support
heavier than average in class (623g)
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Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Sony HX300
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-07-19 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 214 grams (0.47 pounds) 623 grams (1.37 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 270 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $329 $339