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Nikon P900 Comparison Review

The Nikon Coolpix P900 is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in March 2015 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 15.9 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon P900 a good camera? The P900 has a Camera Elo of 1934. This rating puts the P900 among the top 50 percent of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the P900 ranks among the top 40 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3.5-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Nikon P900
Fixed lens compact camera
24-2000mm f/2.8-6.5
15.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
1080/60p Video
ISO 100 - 6 400 (100 - 12 800)
Electronic viewfinder (921k dots)
3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
7 shutter flaps per second
360 shots per battery charge
140 x 103 x 137 mm, 899 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Nikon P900 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon P900 vs credit card front
P900 versus credit card top view
P900 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon P900 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon P900 140 mm 103 mm 137 mm 899 g 360 n Mar 2015 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
3.
 
Kodak AZ901 139 mm 104 mm 119 mm 777 g 400 n Jan 2016 499 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon P950 140 mm 110 mm 150 mm 1005 g 290 n Jan 2020 799 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon P1000 146 mm 119 mm 181 mm 1415 g 250 n Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Nikon B700 125 mm 85 mm 107 mm 565 g 350 n Feb 2016 499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon B500 114 mm 78 mm 95 mm 541 g 600 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon L840 113 mm 78 mm 96 mm 538 g 590 n Feb 2015 299ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic FZ100 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 540 g 410 n Jul 2010 499ebay.com
10.
 
Ricoh GR II 117 mm 63 mm 35 mm 251 g 320 n Jun 2015 699ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX400V 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 660 g 300 n Feb 2014 499ebay.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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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon P900 was launched in the US market at a price of $599. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Check P900 offers at
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

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.

The Nikon P900 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon P900 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Nikon P900 sensor measures

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
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon P900 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.211.672747
2.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
3.
 
Kodak AZ901 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.311.780648
4.
 
Nikon P950 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.712.3118952
5.
 
Nikon P1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.612.1104451
6.
 
Nikon B700 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.411.881848
7.
 
Nikon B500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.311.781048
8.
 
Nikon L840 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.211.672147
9.
 
Panasonic FZ100 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.730639
10.
 
Ricoh GR II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.7107880
11.
 
Sony HX400V 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.111.462945
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. The P900 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the P900 can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Nikon P900 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
#   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 P900921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
3.
 
Kodak AZ901202 n3.0 / 920 swivel n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Nikon P9502359 n3.2 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Nikon P10002359 n3.2 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Nikon B700921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Nikon B500none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon L840none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
9.
 
Panasonic FZ100202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Ricoh GR IIoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
11.
 
Sony HX400V210 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Nikon Coolpix P900 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the P900

One convenient feature of the P900 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 P900 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon P900-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Kodak AZ901-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
4.
 
Nikon P950Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Nikon P1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Nikon B700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
7.
 
Nikon B500-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
8.
 
Nikon L840-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Panasonic FZ100Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Ricoh GR IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony HX400VYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the P900 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The P900 has a zoom lens built in (4.3-357mm f/2.8-6.5), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 2000mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the P900 can be found in the free online Nikon P900 Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the P900 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon P900......77/1004/54/5 Mar 2015 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
3.
 
Kodak AZ901........3.5/53/5 Jan 2016 499 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon P950....3/5..4/54/5 Jan 2020 799 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon P1000..+3.5/573/1003.5/53.5/5 Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Nikon B700..+....4/54/5 Feb 2016 499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon B500..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon L840..+ +....3.5/54/5 Feb 2015 299ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic FZ100..+....4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2010 499ebay.com
10.
 
Ricoh GR II........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 699ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX400V4/5+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Nikon P900 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the P900.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Nikon P900 based on?

The camera features a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Nikon P900 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Nikon equipped the P900 with the EXPEED C2 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon P900?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400.

Does the Nikon P900 have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the P900 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon P900?

No, the Nikon Coolpix P900 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Nikon P900?

The P900 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Nikon P900 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Which battery does the Nikon P900 use?

The camera gets its power from the EN-EL23 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Does the Nikon P900 support geotagging?

The P900 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) module and can embed location information in the EXIF data of the captured image.

Where can I find the best deals for the Nikon P900?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Nikon.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. An 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 Summary
    Camera Model Nikon P900
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-2000mm f/2.8-6.5
    Launch Date March 2015
    Launch Price USD 599
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 608 x 3 456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6 400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12 800 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED C2
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 921k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type EN-EL23 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)360 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 140 x 103 x 137 mm
    (5.5 x 4.1 x 5.4 in)
    Camera Weight 899 g (31.7 oz)

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