• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S9100 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 103 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    212g vs 656g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony HX300 advantages over Nikon S9100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 450 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Backside-illuminated sensor for good low-light performance; Very long zoom; Good printed performance; Very fast autofocus.

  • Autofocus is not always reliable; Auto white balance renders skin tones a little red; Slow digital zoom.

  • Read our Nikon S9100 Express Review

  • Super-versatile 50x optical zoom lens helps you capture everything from wide-angle cityscapes to zoomed in portraits from what feels like a mile away; Still quite light and portable considering the powerful lens; Comfortable and ergonomic design; Full HD video recording at up to 60p, with good quality.

  • Relatively small, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor delivers average image quality that degrades quickly at high sensitivities; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped; Slow camera to use overall.

  • Read our Sony HX300 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax RZ18

Nikon S9100
Pentax RZ18
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Pentax RZ18

Sony HX300
Pentax RZ18
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony HX300 vs Pentax RZ18

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Nikon S9100
Panasonic ZS15
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS15

Sony HX300
Panasonic ZS15
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Panasonic ZS15

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Nikon S9100
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Sony HX300
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony HX300 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Canon SX280 HS

Nikon S9100
Canon SX280 HS
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS

Sony HX300
Canon SX280 HS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Canon SX280 HS

Compared to Sony HX400V

Nikon S9100
Sony HX400V
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX400V

Sony HX300
Sony HX400V
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX300 vs Sony HX400V

Compare Other Cameras?