Nikon S9900
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
- 289g - 112 x 66 x 40mm
- Launched February 2015
- Replaced the Nikon S9700
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
88 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
48
Nikon S9900 overview
Nikon S9900 is Nikon's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera first launched on February of 2015. The camera houses a 16MP, CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a peak resolution of 4608 x 3456.
Nikon released this model in an effort to upgrade the previous Nikon S9700 (Read Full Comparison)
The S9900 stands at #30 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and all-around #456 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. You can try out our Smart camera finder to get camera rankings based on your customized factors.
Below is a diagram of multiple criteria used in the scoring system.
Nikon S9900 history
The Nikon S9900 comes with a history of related cameras. Below, you can take a look at all past and newer models as well as main features.
F3.7-6.416MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon S9900 Gallery
You can view the S9900 from different angles in the gallery underneath.
Nikon S9900 Pros and Cons
Here is a list of benefits and drawbacks of the Nikon S9900 based on things which are typically seen as essential in a digital camera.
Nikon S9900 Sensor specs
The sensor size in the Nikon S9900 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 4608 x 3456 pixels with aspect ratios of 4:3. The camera includes Image Stabilization (Optical). Sensor stabilization is preferable than digital stabilization as the latter may cause cropping.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe CMOS sensor boasts 16 megapixels and delivers a standard ISO range of 100 - 6400. Sadly, RAW files are not saved so you have less room to maneuver in post.
The picture underneath shows the S9900's sensor size compared to other popular sizes. The S9900 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is shown in green.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTo get an idea of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.
Nikon S9900 dimensions
Nikon S9900 has a weight of 0.64 lbs (289 grams / 10.19 ounces) and the size of the camera is 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6"). The weight of general Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 grams so the Nikon S9900 is lighter compared to its rivals.
Photography GlossaryUnderneath is a shot of the Nikon S9900 with a softdrink so you're able to have a feel for its size.
The top view under will show the button design on the S9900.
Nikon S9900 Lens details
The S9900 has got a built in lens giving a focal range of 25-750mm giving it a 30.0 x zoom which is outstanding and can allow you to zoom all the way in.
At it's widest 25mm, the lens offers an aperture of f3.7 making it really sluggish and not great in low light circumstances and you will struggle to capture a shallow depth of field. You would also have to increase your ISO setting resulting in noisy shots. With the long end, 750mm is exceptional zoom and comes with f6.4 making it very sluggish and you will have to use slower shutter speeds.
Nikon S9900 Connectivity
The S9900 has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
- Wireless Yes
- NFC Yes
- HDMI Yes
- GPS Yes
Cameras with NFC and Bluetooth compatibility are able to be controlled wirelessly by smartphones. You will be able to transfer images and usually adjust camera settings with no need to connect physically with the camera.
Certain apps also provide a Liveview and press the shutter in case you aren't close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI out, it can easily be attached to an external screen. A lot of cameras enable you to charge the battery with the USB port.
Nikon S9900 Video details
The highest video quality in the Nikon S9900 is 1920 x 1080 and it can save in MPEG-4 and H.264 file format. 1080p quality can provide a good balance for video quality versus file size but FULL HD will not give you much room to crop. The body doesn't include a mic and headphone socket so you have got zero control over your audio. It is probably a better idea to purchase a different model if you require good audio in your videos.
Nikon S9900 Weather Sealing
There is no weather proofing on the Nikon S9900 so you have to be cautious in wet or dusty conditions.
Nikon S9900 Screen and Viewfinder
The Nikon S9900 is equipped with a 3 inch fully articulated screen with a resolution of 921 thousand dots.
The screen is selfie friendly to get self portraits and even group shots when needed. Sadly the screen isn't a touch screen.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe ViewFinder details regarding Nikon S9900 are the following:
- ViewFinder None
Viewfinders can be very beneficial for sunny outdoor conditions which may make the camera screen washed out and difficult to view.
Nikon S9900 Shutter details
Nikon S9900 continuous shooting rate is 7.0 frames/s. The max shutter speed is 1/4000s.
Nikon S9900 Flash and Hot shoe details
Nikon S9900 includes just in-built flash without external flash ability.
Nikon S9900 Autofocus details
Nikon S9900 includes only Contrast Detect Auto Focus and does not have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more quicker & precise compared to Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera supports Face detection which makes it useful for people photography.
It also features Tracking Auto Focus for objects that move. Nikon S9900 has no manual focus. Manual focus mode is good for low light occasions or you want more exact focus control.
Nikon S9900 Battery life
The battery power (EN-EL19) on the Nikon S9900 is designed to last for 300 photos with respect to the CIPA standards which is about average when compared to its competitors. The typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR offers the highest (600) battery life for this class of cameras.
Below is a collection of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras that come with the highest battery life:
Nikon S9900 for specific forms of photography
The following chart presents a summation of the Nikon S9900 for specific forms of photography. To find out more, browse to the specific section underneath.
Nikon S9900 as a Portrait photography camera
The Nikon S9900 receives a rating of 37 which is subpar, meaning that it is not good for portrait photos. Taking portrait photos leans heavily to sensor dimension, RAW support and flexibility to utilize off-camera lighting.
Nikon S9900 Street photography factors
With a very good points total of 68, the Nikon S9900 is a good pick for street photography. A good street photography camera offers a good balance of image quality plus portability.
Nikon S9900 Sports photography features
A moderate sports photography points tally of 53 means the Nikon S9900 is reasonably appropriate for photographing sports. A camera should have very good autofocus plus shutter speeds for sports photography.
Nikon S9900 Travel photography features
Weight is extremely important in picking a camera for travel. On the whole, the Nikon S9900 gets a outstanding 77 for a travel camera which makes it a great fit to take with you on your journeys.
Landscape photography with Nikon S9900
If you're planning to purchase a camera for landscape pictures, the biggest aspect is going to be image quality. The Nikon S9900 with it's average rating of 47 as a landscape camera is fairly acceptable amongst it's rivals.
Vlogging with Nikon S9900
A camera for vlogging ought to have a articulating display screen, microphone port and preferably image stabilization. Considering all things, the Nikon S9900 is a respectable fit as a vlog camera as it receives a very good score of 73.
Nikon S9900 Alternatives
If you are shopping for replacements to the S9900, here is a range of the highest scored cameras which fall into the family of Small Sensor Superzoom.
The line chart down below gives you a summary of the S9900 compared to it's top rated competitors listed previously.
There are more cameras you might look into as alternatives. To go through a detailed comparison, simply click the "compare" link.