Nikon Z9 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon Z9 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon Z9 was introduced in October 2021 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 was introduced in September 2018. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Z9 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 over Nikon Z9.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon Z9 has a 3.2" screen with 2,100k dot resolution and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution. Both have Tilting screens. Tilting screen makes cameras very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Both models feature touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Nikon Z9) allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Viewfinder

Nikon Z9 has a built-in 0.5" Electronic (OLED) viewfinder with 3,690k dot resolution and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 638k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage.

Nikon Z9 features a 45.7 megapixel Full Frame Stacked CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 858 mm². Its native ISO range is 64 - 25,600 and expands to 32 - 102,400 in boosted mode. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 features a 18.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 12,800.

Nikon Z9 has Stacked CMOS sensor. The key feature of such sensor is its three-dimensional structure, which consists of multiple layers of semiconductor material and circuitry stacked on top of each other. This allows the sensor to have dedicated layers for image capture and signal processing. This separation allows for faster data readout, reducing rolling shutter effects and enabling high-speed shooting and video recording. It is also more power-efficient.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Nikon Z9 is equipped with EXPEED 7 processor and can take pictures up to 8256 x 5504 resolution. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 is equipped with Bionz X processor and can take pictures up to 4896 x 3672 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4896 x 3264, 4896 x 2752, 3664 x 3664, 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2056, 2736 x 2736, 2592 x 1944, 2592 x 1728, 1920 x 1920, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

No Low-Pass Filter on Nikon Z9

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Nikon Z9. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization (6 stops of compensation in Nikon Z9). On Nikon Z9 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Built-in GPS on Nikon Z9

Nikon Z9 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Cameras have built-in Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz on Nikon Z9, 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

Bluetooth on Nikon Z9

Nikon Z9 has a built-in Bluetooth which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.

NFC on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer and battery charging. Nikon Z9 has a Full Size HDMI and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon Z9 comes with EN-EL18d battery pack with battery life of 740 shots and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 comes with NP-BX1 battery pack with battery life of 360 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon Z9 has Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD card slots. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo card slot.

Shutter

Nikon Z9 has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/32000 sec on Nikon Z9, and up to 1/2000 sec on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99. Nikon Z9 can shoot continuously up to 30.0 fps. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon Z9 has Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF system with 493 focusing points and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has . Nikon Z9 has detection range from -8.5 to +20 EV. The ability to focus at as low as -8.5 EV is a feature exclusive to top-tier professional cameras.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon Z9 ranges from -3 to +17 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon Z9 and ±2 range on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon Z9 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99.

Flash

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.40 m at Auto ISO. Nikon Z9 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon Z9.

Nikon Z9 body has dimensions of 149 x 150 x 91 mm (5.87 x 5.91 x 3.58") and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 body has dimensions of 102 x 58 x 36 mm (4.02 x 2.28 x 1.42"). Nikon Z9 weighs 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 weighs 242 g (0.53 lb / 8.54 oz).

Nikon Z9

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99

149 mm

150 mm

102 mm

58 mm

150 mm

58 mm

91 mm

36 mm