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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Canon SX1 Comparison
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12.Olympus SP-590UZ Comparison
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13.Sony HX1 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Nikon Coolpix P90
Previous: Page 2
ColorNext: Page 4
ResolutionNoise
Noise levels are generally low, but jump considerably at ISO 800 and 1600.
Noise (9.17)
Noise levels have traditionally been a strong point of Nikon cameras, and at levels below ISO 800 the P90 continues this fine tradition. Our first part of this test shoots a chart at 3000 and then at 60 lux to look at the variations between the two. In this case the noise was slightly higher under bright light, with the disparity increasing at the higher sensitivities. More on how we test noise.
Compared to the other ultrazoom cameras, the Nikon keeps noise admirably low at ISO 800 and below, but it rockets up above the others at ISO 1600. This translates to the most usable ISO 400 of any of these cameras, but trouble beyond that level, which is true of just about every point-and-shoot camera on the market.
| Noise Comparisons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 64 | ISO 400 | ISO 800 | ISO 6400 | |
| 60 Lux |  |
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| 3000 Lux |  |
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The Nikon P90 comes out a touch ahead of the competition when considering the entire range of ISOs, especially compared to the Olympus SP-590UZ.
ISO (8.50)
At full resolution, the Nikon P90 will let you shoot up to ISO 1600, then 3200 and 6400 at reduced size. That said, the extremely high noise levels in these reduced size versions renders them all but useless. One feature that has migrated down from SLRs to ultrazooms is some degree of control over noise reduction. On this camera you can turn noise reduction on or off, but there are no additional settings for the level of noise reduction processing.
| ISO Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
| ISO Low | |||
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ISO 64
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ISO 80
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ISO 80
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ISO 125
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
| ISO 200 | |||
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
| ISO 400 | |||
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
| ISO 800 | |||
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
| ISO 1600 | |||
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
| ISO 3200 | |||
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
| ISO 6400 | |||
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| Nikon Coolpix P90 | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Olympus SP-590UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
Shop for the Nikon P90
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