Nikon Coolpix P90 Digital Camera Review

While a competent camera, the Nikon Coolpix P90 didn’t distinguish itself from the ultrazoom competition, and had a disappointing video mode. Though the 24x lens is impressive, other cameras have better features and performance.

This review is organized into 16 pages
Page 1 Product Tour Read More...	Page 2 Color Color accuracy is generally good, yet blues and pinks are less so. Read More...	Page 3 Noise Noise levels are generally low, but jump considerably at ISO 800 and 1600. Read More...
Page 4 Resolution It has a large number of shooting resolutions. Distortion is high, though, and images are soft. Read More...	Page 5 Video There’s almost no control, color accuracy is poor, and it doesn’t shoot HD video. Read More...	Page 6 Sample Photos A gallery of photos taken with the Nikon Coolpix P90 Read More...
Page 7 Playback The editing tools are strong, yet direct print options are limited. Read More...	Page 8 Hardware The zoom is positively mammoth, but battery life is only so-so. Read More...	Page 9 Controls It’d got full manual controls and auto bracketing, though the max exposure length is only 8 seconds. Read More...
Page 10 Design & Handling The manual is thorough, but the menu system is overly long, and the camera grip is shallow. Read More...	Page 11 Canon SX1 Comparison We compare the P90 to the SX1 IS. Read More...	Page 12 Olympus SP-590UZ Comparison We compare the P90 to the SP-590UZ. Read More...
Page 13 Sony HX1 Comparison We compare the P90 to the DSC-HX1. Read More...	Page 14 Conclusion Read our final conclusion of the Nikon Coolpix P90. Read More...	Page 15 Photo Gallery Read More...
Part 16 Comments Read what people are saying about the Nikon Coolpix P90. Add your comments...

Jump to a part

Shop for the Nikon P90

Loading Recently Viewed Products

Latest News
& Reviews

02-Feb-2012
Pentax's risky K-01 is like no other mirrorless camera

Pentax has made a brave move with their latest mirrorless system camera: they’ve to ignored all prevailing trends in the space, and announced a new model that strongly favors form over function (gasp!). Read More...
31-Jan-2012
Nikon launches Coolpix P510, the world's longest superzoom

The P510’s 42x, 24-1000mm lens leaves others in the dust, while the P310 packs an f/1.8 piece to dominate dark shooting situations. Read More...
Nikon debuts S9300 and S6300 Coolpix long-zooms, two others 31-Jan Read More...
Three new entry-level compacts from Nikon 31-Jan Read More...
Is More Zoom Always Better? 31-Jan Read More...

Top Rated Point & Shoots

$459.99
1
Panasonic Lumix FZ150

Excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a great design add up to the best superzoom that has ever graced our labs. That distinction seems to change hands every week, but trust us when we say that the FZ150 is a truly great camera. Read full 16-part review

$459.99

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels
$378.99
2
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

Canon's SX30 got a CMOS makeover that resulted in the SX40 HS, an impressive ultrazoom that captures beautiful shots in almost any scenario. Read full 16-part review

$378.99

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels
$428.00
3
Sony Cyber-shot HX100V

This professionally-geared ultrazoom offers some of the best color accuracy we've ever seen. It's a shame the other scores weren't quite so strong. Read full 16-part review

$428.00

Read full 16-part review

Types

Ultra-Zoom

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels

16.8 MP
$295.00
4
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47

Panasonic resists the urge to cram more megapixels and more focal length into their latest ultrazoom. The FZ47 instead focuses on image quality and features, resulting in an incredibly strong camera that we loved shooting with. Read full 16-part review

$295.00

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels
$418.00
5
Canon PowerShot S100

Canon's PowerShot S100 improves on the popular S95 and takes its place at the top of the point-and-shoot food chain. Read full 16-part review

$418.00

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels