• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S9500 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    3015 fps vs 1200 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos

Nikon J5 advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.37 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S9500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX10V

Nikon S9500
Sony HX10V
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
Nikon J5
Sony HX10V
  • $747
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS30
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon J5
Panasonic ZS30
  • $747
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Nikon J5
Panasonic ZS25
  • $747
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon S9500
Samsung NX Mini
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $747
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon S9500
Nikon J4
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $747
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Compare Other Cameras?