Nikon Coolpix
P100
 vs
Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-HX1

Updated (February, 2011): Compare the Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Nikon Coolpix P100

51

  
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

47

  

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P100

High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
190 ms shutter lag
Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Digital
 

Reasons to buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Digital
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
30 seconds
 

differences

Advantages of the Nikon P100
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies 240 fps vs None
Help
 Capture events too fast for the naked eye and play them back in super-slow motion
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 9.8 MP vs 8.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Zoom More zoom 26.1x vs 20x
Help
 More than 70% more zoom
Wide angle Better wide angle 26 mm vs 28 mm
Help
 Around 10% better wide angle
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 1440 x 1080 @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots high resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Sensor size Larger sensor 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs 1/2.7" 5.6x4.2mm
Help
 More than 20% larger sensor
Weight Lighter 481 g vs 544 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 190 ms vs 230 ms
Help
 Around 20% less delay when taking photos
Nikon Coolpix P100 Learn more about
the Nikon P100

Advantages of the Sony DSC-HX1
Image stabilization Better image stabilization Lens vs Sensor shift
Help
 Less risk of blur
Size Slightly smaller 115x83x92 mm vs 114x83x99 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 30s vs 8s
Help
 Around 4x longer exposures
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Thickness Slightly thinner 3.6" vs 3.9"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Learn more about
the Sony DSC-HX1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

Nikon Coolpix P100 Nikon Coolpix P100
51 vs 47
Explain scores
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P100.

similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/2.8
Continuous shooting Fast continuous shooting Help
10 fps
Macro focus Good macro capabilities Help
1 cm
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Shutter lag Minimal shutter lag Help
P100:190 ms
DSC-HX1:230 ms
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Thickness Quite thick Help
P100:3.9"
DSC-HX1:3.6"
Weight Heavy Help
P100:481 g
DSC-HX1:544 g
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Size Large Help
P100:114x83x99 mm
DSC-HX1:115x83x92 mm

Compared to recent super zooms

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
External flash No external flash support Help
Less expandable
Supports RAW No RAW support Help
Less editing fidelity
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
Zoom Poor zoom Help
P100:26.1x
DSC-HX1:20x
Wide angle Poor wide angle Help
P100:26 mm
DSC-HX1:28 mm

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$596
Zoom Has significantly more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Battery life Has a significantly shorter battery life
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$339 - $349
Zoom Has way more more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Battery life Has a significantly shorter battery life
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon Coolpix L820

Nikon Coolpix L820

Super zoom

$277
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the Coolpix L820 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Coolpix L820 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Continuous shooting Doesn't shoot as fast continuously
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the D5100 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the D5100 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Continuous shooting Doesn't shoot as fast continuously
Compare the D3100 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the D3100 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

Super zoom
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Compare the Lumix DMC-FZ35 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Lumix DMC-FZ35 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Super zoom
External flash Supports an external flash
Weight Is slightly heavier
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Compare the PowerShot SX20 IS vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the PowerShot SX20 IS vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Nikon Coolpix P100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Super zoom

$595
Zoom More zoom
Wide angle Better wide angle
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Coolpix P100
Nikon Coolpix L810

Nikon Coolpix L810

Super zoom

$189 - $249
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the Coolpix L810 vs the Coolpix P100
Nikon Coolpix P90

Nikon Coolpix P90

Super zoom
Image stabilization Better image stabilization
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Movie format Lower resolution movies
High-speed framerate Doesn't record high-speed movies
Compare the Coolpix P90 vs the Coolpix P100
Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Super zoom
High-speed framerate Higher speed movies
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera
Size Significantly larger
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen
Compare the FinePix HS10 vs the Coolpix P100
Nikon Coolpix P520

Nikon Coolpix P520

Super zoom

$427
Zoom Much more zoom
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Aperture Narrower aperture
High-speed framerate Lower speed movies
Compare the Coolpix P520 vs the Coolpix P100

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony CyberShot DSC-H200

Sony CyberShot DSC-H200

Super zoom

$190 - $228
Wide angle Significantly better wide angle
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the CyberShot DSC-H200 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V

Super zoom

$327 - $348
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Zoom Significantly more zoom
Size Slightly larger
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$642 - $683
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Zoom More zoom
Size Slightly larger
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$436 with 18-55mm lens
Sensor size Much larger sensor
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the D3000 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Super zoom

$429 - $450
Zoom Much more zoom
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Screen size Smaller screen
Compare the PowerShot SX50 HS vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

appearance

Nikon Coolpix P100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon Coolpix P100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon Coolpix P100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

discussion

Showing 13 comments

Nabilelsherif (8:04 PM, March 04, 2011)
sony is better
 
antonio mendez (5:59 PM, February 28, 2011)
The Nikon P100 has a lot of 1 and 2 star reviews (out of 5) from the amazon.com customer who bought it.
It appears to have good specs, but some relaibility probles. The HX1 reviews are among the best of any super zoom camera.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (5:44 PM, January 03, 2011)
Thanks for sharing that info Marcus! Snapsort has the correct resolution values on the specs page but in the comparison uses a true resolution calculated based on the sensor size of each camera, hence the different values.
 
Marcuswjm (3:12 AM, January 02, 2011)
I bought the Nikon P100 used it for a month, and returned it to the store and bought the Sony HX1. Some of the specifications are wrong; the HX1 has 9.1 megapixels not 8.1; the P100 has 10.3 megapixels. The HX1 has 20x optical zoom and a 20x digital zoom; the p100 4x digital zoom. In the continuous shooting mode at full resolution, P100 shoots 10fps but only 6 shots; HX1 shoots 10 fps with 10 shots. The Sony HX1 focuses faster, it also comes with a real battery charger; with the Nikon P100 you have plug your camera into outlet with an adapter. The Sony is a lot more user friendly than the Nikon; I paid more for the Sony and I am glad I did.
 
Aquarian_738 (1:40 PM, September 27, 2010)
indeed sony hx1 is capable of taking high quality images and p100 is of its own kind but the real thing is the image stability which we get in that sony hx1 very good ...!!! and iam gonna get this one for sure
 
Avi (11:34 AM, September 23, 2010)
Although P100 has quite more zooming power but it is very difficult to hold static when the barrel is in fully open situation (at 26X zoom) so usually taking fine picture is bit difficult for a normal user, but in case oh HX1 you are compromising on zoom the image quality is much better on full zoom.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (11:55 PM, September 17, 2010)
Good call on the flip-out screen, our mistake, we'll get that fixed. Snapsort knows the HX1 is 9.1m (see the HX1 specs), but calculates a true resolution based on limitations of the camera's sensor size.
 
Scott T. (11:50 PM, September 17, 2010)
Ummm the Sony HX-1 does have a flip-out screen and it is 9.1MP, not 8.1MP !!! Seems like a shame to review camera's without the facts all in place.
 
Avatar for Anthony Petruzzi Anthony Petruzzi (2:19 AM, September 12, 2010)
The panoramic function is why I want to buy the Sony (I own a DSC9.) The HX1 also has a stacking feather taking multiple pictures of different brackets and then combining them for the best highlights and shadows. Also on my DSC( I have a 55 mm skylight filter which fits over the lens and is held on with a piece of tape(its snug even without tape) the lens goes in and out just fine and I can screw a polarizer on it withvery miner clipping at wide angle.
 
ali firts (4:00 AM, September 10, 2010)
I wanted to get the Nikon P100 but the Sony HX1´s shutter speed is higher (1/4000 vs 1/2000. Now, I will choose sony.
 
Mmcmert (0:22 AM, August 04, 2010)
Nikon have panaromic photos too, but taking panaromic photo is easier in sony than nikon. With sony just turn the camera to the place where you want to take panoramic photo, but nikon you have to put half of the photos together to match and take photo.
 
Avatar for jorgepaiva jorgepaiva (2:57 AM, May 14, 2010)
It looks that Sony make panoramicx photos and Nikon doesn't have this
 
Avatar for laertebruno laertebruno (2:47 AM, April 07, 2010)
I'm crazy to buy a new camera. I always owned Sony cameras, their pics are great, rich color and clear. But, this evaluation showed me new horizons, now I really don't know which one to choose.