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Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Updated by Nikon S9300
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Old Model is Sony WX350
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Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the S9100 (12MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was manufactured 4 years before the WX500 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the S9100 matches up vs the WX500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Sony WX500

 S9100 WX500 
Manually focus Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Nikon S9100

 WX500 S9100 
ReleasedApril 2015July 2011More modern by 45 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Sony WX500

 S9100 WX500 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S9100 has got outside dimensions of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the S9100 vs the WX500.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S9100 and WX500 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9100 and WX500.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony WX500 to produce greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged S9100 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX500 Portrait photography highlights
32
has manual focus
supports face detect focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
39
resolution is good (18MP)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9100
Street photography with Sony WX500
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (214g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9100
Sports photography with Sony WX500
36
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery pack (360 per charge)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9100
Travel photography with Sony WX500
61
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (270 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
better than average battery pack (360 shots)
lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 Landscape photography details
Sony WX500 Landscape photography details
39
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery power (270 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
49
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (360 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 Vlogging highlights
Sony WX500 Vlogging highlights
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
35
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Nikon S9100 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Sony WX500
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-19 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye 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 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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 214 grams (0.47 lb) 236 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 images 360 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $329 $348