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

70
"The P100 is definitely the current big deal in Nikon's Coolpix performance line."
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the P100's overall-performance
"The overall control layout is simple and straightforward."
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the P100's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P100

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

62

Reasons to buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
30 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Nikon P100
Zoom More zoom 26.1x vs 20x
Help
 More than 70% more zoom
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 Much higher true resolution 9.8 MP vs 8.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 1440 x 1080 @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots high resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Wide angle Better wide angle 26 mm vs 28 mm
Help
 Around 10% better wide angle
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 Around 2x higher resolution screen
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
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
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
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 30s vs 8s
Help
 Around 4x longer exposures
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
70 vs 62
Explain scores
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P100.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

NikonCoolpix P100
 Nikon Coolpix P100 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX1
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
28
19
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
23
22
Vote Vote
Features Low light image quality Low light image quality
Lack of noise, sharp details
23
22
Vote Vote
Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
25
21
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
23
20
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
23
21
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
24
18
Vote Vote
Performance Image stabilization
Ability to reduce blur from hand shake
22
19
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Zoom Great zoom Help
P100:26.1x
DSC-HX1:20x
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/2.8
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Movie format Good movie support Help
P100:1080p @ 30fps
DSC-HX1:1440 x 1080 @ 30fps
Macro focus Good macro capabilities Help
1 cm
Continuous shooting Fast continuous shooting Help
10 fps
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Thickness Quite thick Help
P100:3.9"
DSC-HX1:3.6"
Weight Heavy Help
P100:481 g
DSC-HX1:544 g
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$319 - $350
Zoom Has much more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Aperture Has a significantly narrower aperture
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon Coolpix L120

Nikon Coolpix L120

Super zoom

$227 - $230
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Size Is slightly smaller
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Compare the Coolpix L120 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Coolpix L120 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Super zoom

$420
Zoom Has much more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$369 - $428
Zoom Has slightly more zoom
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS20

Super zoom

$305 - $475
Zoom Has slightly more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the FinePix HS20 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the FinePix HS20 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Super zoom

$496
Zoom Has slightly more zoom
Wide angle Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the FinePix HS10 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the FinePix HS10 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon Coolpix P90

Nikon Coolpix P90

Super zoom

$539
Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Weight Is slightly lighter
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Compare the Coolpix P90 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Coolpix P90 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Nikon Coolpix P100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon Coolpix P100.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50

Super zoom
True resolution Higher true resolution
Sensor size Larger sensor
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-H50 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

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

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.