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Nikon B600 vs Sony H200

The Nikon Coolpix B600 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2019 and January 2013. Both the B600 and the H200 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 15.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon B600
versus
Sony H200
Nikon B600   Sony H200
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-1440mm f/3.3-6.5 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 15.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/30p Video 720/30p Video
ISO 125-6,400 ISO 100-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
7.4 shutter flaps per second 0.8 shutter flaps per second
280 shots per battery charge240 shots per battery charge
122 x 82 x 99 mm, 500 g 123 x 83 x 87 mm, 530 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon Coolpix B600 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon B600 and the Sony H200 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The B600 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the H200 is only available in black.

Size Nikon B600 vs Sony H200
Compare B600 versus H200 top
Comparison B600 or H200 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony H200 is somewhat larger (2 percent) than the Nikon B600. Moreover, the H200 is markedly heavier (6 percent) than the B600. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the B600 nor the H200 are weather-sealed.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon B600 122 mm 82 mm 99 mm 500 g 280 n Jan 2019 349ebay.com
2.
 
Sony H200 123 mm 83 mm 87 mm 530 g 240 n Jan 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX520 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 441 g 210 n Jul 2014 399ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon P950 140 mm 110 mm 150 mm 1005 g 290 n Jan 2020 799 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon A1000 114 mm 72 mm 41 mm 330 g 250 n Jan 2019 429ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon P1000 146 mm 119 mm 181 mm 1415 g 250 n Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon W300 112 mm 66 mm 29 mm 231 g 280 Y May 2017 389ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon B500 114 mm 78 mm 95 mm 541 g 600 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon P900 140 mm 103 mm 137 mm 899 g 360 n Mar 2015 599ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon L840 113 mm 78 mm 96 mm 538 g 590 n Feb 2015 299ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic FZ100 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 540 g 410 n Jul 2010 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 399ebay.com
13.
 
Sony H400 130 mm 95 mm 122 mm 628 g 300 n Feb 2014 319ebay.com
14.
 
Sony H300 128 mm 89 mm 92 mm 590 g 350 n Feb 2014 219ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The H200 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 29 percent) than the B600, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Nikon B600 and Sony H200 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the B600 offers a slightly higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 15.2 MP of the H200. This megapixels advantage translates into a 11 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the B600 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.33μm versus 1.36μm for the H200). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the B600 is much more recent (by 6 years) than the H200, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Nikon Coolpix B600 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 are ISO 100 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the B600 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the H200 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

B600 versus H200 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon B600 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.712.2109552
2.
 
Sony H200 1/2.3 15.2 5184 2930720/30p19.911.252944
3.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
4.
 
Nikon P950 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.712.3118952
5.
 
Nikon A1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.712.2109552
6.
 
Nikon P1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.612.1104451
7.
 
Nikon W300 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.512.093850
8.
 
Nikon B500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.311.781048
9.
 
Nikon P900 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.211.672747
10.
 
Nikon L840 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.211.672147
11.
 
Panasonic FZ100 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.730639
12.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
13.
 
Sony H400 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
14.
 
Sony H300 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the B600 provides a higher video resolution than the H200. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the Sony is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The B600 and the H200 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon B600 and Sony H200 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon B600none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
2.
 
Sony H200none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX520none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
4.
 
Nikon P9502359 n3.2 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Nikon A10001166 n3.0 / 1036 tilting Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Nikon P10002359 n3.2 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Nikon W300none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon B500none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
9.
 
Nikon P900921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Nikon L840none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic FZ100202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Sony H400210 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 0.7/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony H300none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Both the B600 and the H200 have zoom lenses built in. The B600 has a 24-1440mm f/3.3-6.5 optic and the H200 offers a 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Nikon and Sony provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the Sony has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The H200 offers the faster maximum aperture.

The B600 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the H200 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The B600 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the H200 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon Coolpix B600 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon B600-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Sony H200-mono / mono---2.0---
3.
 
Canon SX520-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon P950Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Nikon A1000-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Nikon P1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Nikon W300-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
8.
 
Nikon B500-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
9.
 
Nikon P900-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Nikon L840-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Panasonic FZ100Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
13.
 
Sony H400-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
14.
 
Sony H300-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
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It is notable that the B600 offers wifi support, while the H200 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the B600 and the H200 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Nikon and Sony. Further information on the features and operation of the B600 and H200 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon B600 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony H200 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Nikon B600 better than the Sony H200 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Nikon Coolpix B600:

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/30p vs 720/30p).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (921k vs 460k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1500s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7.4 vs 0.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (280 versus 240) on a single battery charge.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 6 years of technical progress since the H200 launch.

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200:

  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.1 vs f/3.3).
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (29 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2013).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the B600 is the clear winner of the match-up (10 : 3 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

B600 10:03 H200

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon B600 and the Sony H200 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the B600 and the H200 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon B600..+....3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 349ebay.com
2.
 
Sony H200........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX520..+....3.5/53.5/5 Jul 2014 399ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon P950....3/5..4/54/5 Jan 2020 799 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon A1000..+ +3.5/5..3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 429ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon P1000..+3.5/573/1003.5/53.5/5 Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon W300..+....4/54/5 May 2017 389ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon B500..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon P900......77/1004/54/5 Mar 2015 599ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon L840..+ +....3.5/54/5 Feb 2015 299ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic FZ100..+....4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2010 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 399ebay.com
13.
 
Sony H400..o....3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2014 319ebay.com
14.
 
Sony H300..+....4.5/54/5 Feb 2014 219ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Nikon B600 vs Sony H200

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon B600 Sony H200
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-1440mm f/3.3-6.5 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9
    Launch Date January 2019 January 2013
    Launch Price USD 349 USD 249
    Sensor Specs Nikon B600 Sony H200
    Sensor Technology CMOS CCD
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels 15.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 2930 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm 1.36 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2 54.10 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    Screen Specs Nikon B600 Sony H200
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon B600 Sony H200
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 7.4 shutter flaps/s 0.8 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I no
    Connectivity Specs Nikon B600 Sony H200
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Nikon B600 Sony H200
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL12 Sony 4xAA
    Battery Life (CIPA)280 shots per charge240 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 122 x 82 x 99 mm
    (4.8 x 3.2 x 3.9 in)
    123 x 83 x 87 mm
    (4.8 x 3.3 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 500 g (17.6 oz) 530 g (18.7 oz)
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