Sony HX9V vs Nikon S9100

2011-4-18

12MP CMOS, 18 X, 3" 921k, 1080p 30pfs, 5fps, panorama mode

Gavin Stoker made 2 reviews one for pocket lint and one for photography blog
digital versus compares the 9100 with the HX9V and the TZ20
DC Watch review with photos & original video - infosyncworld review with photos & video EphotoZine review with photos - zone-numerique has a review with lots of samples

compare the Sony HX9V vs Nikon S9100 at digitalversus.com

HX9V contender

Just 6 months after introducing the Coolpix S8100 Nikon feels the need for more zoom too and answers with the S9100.

ZOOMING AHEAD: Nikon introduces the pocket-friendly COOLPIX S9100 compact camera with 18x super-zoom

RRP: £299.99 / €348.00
Sales Start Date: 17th March 2011

Nikon UK, 9 Feb 2011 - Nikon has today enhanced its COOLPIX range with the launch of the S9100, an ultra high-zoom camera that makes it possible to take wide-angle and super telephoto shots from a compact, pocket-friendly body. The COOLPIX S9100 introduces zoom capabilities that are almost inconceivable in such a slim, lightweight model, with its impressive 18x NIKKOR wide-angle lens offering a range from 25mm to 450mm .

To ensure sharp shooting in any situation, a highly sensitive back illuminated CMOS image sensor means that even in low light or extremely bright conditions, the camera will easily capture the scene, so both night and day shots are recreated exactly as you experienced them. Completing the package, Full (1080p) HD movie-recording with stereo sound offers more versatility than ever before.

“The COOLPIX S9100 will open up new avenues for people who demand powerful performance in a compact body. Through its wide-angle to super-telephoto coverage, Full HD video, and functions that make handheld night-time shooting as easy as taking daytime pictures, this slim and stylish camera enables creative freedom and the ability to capture pictures as you see them.” said Sander van Velzen, Product Manager for Consumer Products at Nikon Europe.

See the bigger picture
Packing a powerful 18x NIKKOR wide-angle zoom lens, the S9100 offers outstanding precision and sharp resolution even when capturing sweeping landscapes and large group photographs. With a maximum equivalent focal length of 450mm even distant objects can be framed easily, making the S9100 the ultimate companion for travelling.

A new Easy Panorama feature extends your view even further by offering 360 degree and 180 degree photos. While you pan vertically or horizontally across a scene, the camera’s CMOS sensor takes a rapid burst of frames which are merged to instantly create a beautiful panorama.

Throw away the tripod and get stunning pictures in any situation
Disappointing nighttime images are a thing of the past with the COOLPIX S9100. A back illuminated 12.1 megapixel CMOS image sensor increases the amount of light that each pixel receives, improving sensitivity and eliminating blurring, to deliver superb performance in any light.

When used in the advanced Night Portrait mode, which is easily selected via the mode dial, the camera reproduces night scenes and indoor portraits exactly as the user sees them. It works by taking consecutive shots, with and without flash, which expose the portrait subject and background separately. The consecutive images are then immediately combined to produce beautiful night portraits that capture your subject and background authentically and without compromise.

Anti-blur technology within the camera counters blurred images in seven key ways:
• Hybrid VR (Sensor-shift and Electronic Vibration Reduction) reduces the effect of camera shake and can be set simultaneously for additional protection.
• High ISO (up to 3200) light sensitivity reduces the risk of blurred images with fast-moving subjects or in low-light.
• Motion detection compensates for camera and subject movement.
• Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically selects the sharpest of up to 10 sequential shots.
• Night Portrait Mode combines images with varying exposure to counter blur.
• Night Landscape mode lets you shoot sharp images at low ISO. 
• HDR backlight mode offers impressive tonal detail in any situation.

Full HD (1080p) movie recording with stereo sound
Now you can get Full HD filming on demand, with a dedicated movie-record button which instantly switches from photos to video. Optical zoom and autofocus are available during recording and you can at any time choose to capture an image while still filming. Giving you even more creative freedom, there is also the option to film in slow or fast motion using recording speeds of up to 240fps (QVGA).

Also featured is a built-in HDMI mini connector with HDMI-CEC support, so you can connect your camera to a high definition (HD) television and view your movies in full HD with family and friends. 

The large 7.5 cm (3 in.) high resolution 921k-dot LCD monitor offers vivid colour reproduction and sharp contrast. Boasting Nikon’s Clear Color Display technology, it reduces power consumption and minimises reflections, even in bright sunlight.

Take creative control
The COOLPIX S9100 makes it simple to get creative with your images and movies, with options to apply a range of effects both before and after taking them. Before shooting a picture or movie, the Special Effects mode lets you easily apply creative effects, such as High-Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, Nostalgic Sepia and Selective Color. The choice of effect can be reviewed on the LCD screen before you take your picture or movie clip.

After shooting, the Retouch Menu lets you enhance the photos you have taken without the need for a computer with its range of filter effects, such as Cross Screen, which adds a starry effect to bright objects. The unique Creative Slider makes it quick and easy to instantly adjust the brightness, saturation and colour tone of the image.

An additional must-have feature of the S9100 is Nikon’s Smart Portrait System, incorporating a series of automatic functions including In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, Blink Warning, Smile Timer and Skin Softening to flatter even the most camera-shy subject.

The COOLPIX S9100 comes in three colours: red, black and dark silver

ViewNX 2
ViewNX 2 is an all-in-one software package that enables users to quickly and easily import, browse, edit and share still images and movies. Building upon the highly successful ViewNX software, ViewNX 2 is a user-friendly suite that offers a huge range of features, going well beyond those supplied as part of a PC’s operating system. Newly-incorporated advanced movie-editing functions have been taken directly from Nikon’s award-winning DSLR range, enabling users to create stunning movie footage. ViewNX 2 is included with all Nikon digital cameras and is also available as a free download.

EXPEED C2
The original EXPEED image processing system incorporated all of the accumulated expertise and technologies developed throughout Nikon’s long history. Now, the latest evolution of Nikon’s renowned system, EXPEED C2, expands the possibilities of photography even further, with enhanced movie recording, high-sensitivity performance and maximum image quality. EXPEED C2 maximizes sensor performance for clear, life-like images that exhibit vivid colours, reduced noise and smooth tonal gradations for outstanding photos and movies.

Nikon my Picturetown
You can now back-up your images safely and securely using my Picturetown (http://www.mypicturetown.com), the free online digital photo storage and sharing service brought to you by Nikon. Easily share photo memories with friends and organise precious memories into online collections. You get 2GB of space free to use for storing thousands of memories and you can upgrade your membership to Gold Account at any time if you need to store more pictures.

SpecificationsSensor
Max resolution     4000 x 3000     
Effective pixels     12.0 megapixels     
Sensor photo detectors     12.7 megapixels     
Sensor size     1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)     
Processor     Expeed C2    
Image
ISO     Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000, 3200     
White balance presets     5     
Custom white balance     Yes     
Image stabilization     Sensor-shift     
Uncompressed format     No    
Screen / viewfinder
Screen size     3"     
Screen dots     921,000     
Touch screen     No    
Live view     Yes     
Viewfinder type     None     
Photography features
Maximum aperture     F3.5 - F5.9     
Minimum shutter speed     1 sec     
Maximum shutter speed     1/2000 sec     
Aperture priority     No     
Shutter priority     No     
Manual exposure mode     No    
Subject / scene modes     Yes    
Built-in flash     Yes    
Flash range     4 m    
External flash     No    
Flash modes     Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye    
Continuous drive     Yes (9.5 fps)     
Self-timer     Yes (10 or 2 sec)    
Metering modes     Multi, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot AF-area    
Exposure compensation     ±2 EV (at 1/3 EV steps)     
WB Bracketing     No     
Videography features
Format     MPEG4    
Audio channels     Stereo    
Clips     Yes (1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps))    
Optics & Focus
Autofocus     Contrast Detect (sensor), Multi-area, Center, Tracking, Face Detection, Live View 
Lens focal length     25 – 450 mm    
Optical zoom     18×    
Digital zoom     Yes (4x)    
Manual focus     Yes     
Normal focus range     50 cm (19.69")     
Macro focus range     4 cm (1.57")     
Number of focus points         
Storage
Storage types     SD/SDHC/SDXC     
Storage included     71 MB     
Connectivity
USB     USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)     
HDMI     Yes (Mini Connector)     
Remote control     No    
Physical
Environmentally sealed     No    
Battery     Battery Pack     
Battery description     Nikon EN-EL12 Lithium-Ion battery    
Battery Life (CIPA)     270    
Weight (inc. batteries)     214 g (0.47 lb / 7.55 oz)    
Dimensions     105 x 62 x 35 mm (4.13 x 2.44 x 1.38")