Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20
92 Imaging
42 Features
37 Overall
40


87 Imaging
33 Features
29 Overall
31
Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-550mm (F) lens
- 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
- Launched January 2013
- Earlier Model is Nikon S9300
- Later Model is Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
- 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
- Released May 2009

Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 Overview
Following is a extensive assessment of the Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the S9500 (18MP) and H20 (10MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The S9500 was launched 3 years after the H20 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the S9500 scores vs the H20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S9500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon S9500 Gallery and Sony H20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Sony H20
S9500 | H20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 46 months |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+384k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Nikon S9500
H20 | S9500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Common features in the Nikon S9500 and Sony H20
S9500 | H20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon S9500 enjoys outside dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony H20 has sizing of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
Examine the Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S9500 vs the H20.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S9500 and H20 is 92 and 87 respectively.

Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by going over a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9500 and H20.
Clearly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon S9500 to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer S9500 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9500 vs Sony H20 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S9500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S9500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2013-01-29 | 2009-05-14 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 99 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-550mm (22.0x) | 38-380mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.5-4.4 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 2cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 614 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.5fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 7.10 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 205 grams (0.45 lb) | 250 grams (0.55 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") |
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 | 230 pictures | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $230 | $249 |