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Nikon S6900 Review

  • Overview
  • Alternatives
  • Nikon S6900

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    Main Features

    • 16MP - 1/2.3' CMOS Sensor
    • ISO 125 - 6400
    • 25-300 mm F3.3-6.3 Zoom Lens
    • Optical Image Stabilization
    • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
    • 9.0fps continuous shooting
    • and FHD at 60fps Video Recording
    • Built-in Wireless
    • 181g. 99 x 58 x 28 mm
    CHECK PRICE
    CHECK PRICE

    Nikon S6900 Overview

    Launched in February 2015 , Nikon Coolpix S6900 is a 16.0MP Ultracompact camera with a 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor, built-in Image Stabilization, Fully Articulated screen and 12.0x zoom 25-300 mm F3.3-6.3 lens.

    Nikon S6900 Review - Click for Table of Contents

    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Sensor and Photography Features
    4. Physical Specs
    5. LCD and Viewfinder
    6. Connectivity, Storage and Battery
    7. Video
    8. Other Features
    9. Lens
    10. Photography Type Scores
    11. Alternatives
    12. Popular Comparisons
    13. Frequently Asked Questions
    14. Detailed Specifications

    Nikon S6900 is a member of Nikon's Ultracompact class cameras. Below you can see the latest models in this class and how their main specs have changed with each new model.

    Nikon Ultracompact Series History
    Model Release Date Sensor Max FPS Dimensions Weight
    Nikon A10
    Compare
    2016 16.0MP - 1/2.3' 1.2 fps 96 x 59 x 29mm 160g
    Nikon A100
    Compare
    2016 20.0MP - 1/2.3' 1.1 fps 95 x 59 x 20mm 119g
    Nikon S7000
    Compare
    2015 16.0MP - 1/2.3" 9.2 fps 99 x 60 x 27mm 165g
    Nikon S6900
    2015 16.0MP - 1/2.3' 9.0 fps 99 x 58 x 28mm 181g
    Nikon L31
    Compare
    2015 16.0MP - 1/2.3' fps 96 x 59 x 29mm 160g

    Check the link below to compare specs of the latest cameras in this series side by side:
    Nikon A10 vs A100 vs S7000 vs S6900 vs L31


    **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Nikon S6900 PROs and CONs Review

    Now let's get in to more details of our Nikon S6900 review by analysing its specs and features and listing out its pros and cons compared to average competitor cameras in its class.

    PROs
    Built-in Wireless (Wi-fi)
    NFC Connectivity
    Image Stabilization
    Articulating Screen
    Full HD Video
    Face Detection Focusing
    1/4000s High Shutter Speed
    9.0fps Shooting w/ Mechanical Shutter
    181g Light Body
    25mm Wide Angle Lens
    300mm Good Tele Lens
    12.0X Optical Zoom
    Selfie & Vlogger Friendly LCD Screen
    Remote control with a smartphone
    Report a correction

    Buy Nikon S6900 from AMAZON or B&H PHOTO


    CONs
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Touch Screen
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No RAW Shooting
    Low Battery Life: 180 shots
    No Manual Focusing
    No Manual Exposure
    No Environmental Sealing
    Slow Lens at Wide: f3.30
    Slow Lens at Tele: f6.30

    Report a correction


    Nikon S6900 Physical Specs
    Nikon S6900 weighs 181 g (0.40 lb / 6.38 oz) and has external dimensions of 99 x 58 x 28 mm (3.9 x 2.28 x 1.1″). Considering that the average weight of Compact type cameras is 188g, its weight is about average in its class. With a thickness of 28mm, it also has an average thickness.
    Weight Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Nikon S6900
    Min
    Average
    Max
    Thickness Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Nikon S6900
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Here is the front and top view image of Nikon S6900 with the dimensions:

    Nikon S6900 Body Size Dimensions
    Front and Top View External Dimensions and Size of Nikon S6900 Camera Body


    In order to give you a better idea about the real life size of Nikon S6900, we have added an image of how it looks next to a credit card and an AA type battery.


    Nikon S6900 Body Size Compared to a Credit card and a Battery
    Physical size of the Nikon S6900 Body Compared to a Credit Card and an AA Battery



    Below you can find the comparison of the weight and thickness of Nikon S6900 with its main competitors:

    Nikon S6900 Size Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Weight vs S6900 Thickness vs S6900
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S7000
    Compare
    165g 16g lighter 27mm 1mm thinner
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S9900
    Compare
    289g 108g heavier 40mm 12mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S1100pj
    Compare
    180g 1g lighter 24mm 4mm thinner
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Canon ELPH 360 HS
    Compare
    147g 34g lighter 23mm 5mm thinner
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S6500
    Compare
    250g 69g heavier 26mm 2mm thinner
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S3700
    Compare
    118g 63g lighter 20mm 8mm thinner
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Canon M100
    Compare
    302g 121g heavier 35mm 7mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Sony W830
    Compare
    122g 59g lighter 23mm 5mm thinner

    Weather Sealing

    Nikon S6900 doesn't have any environmental sealings on its body so you got to be extra careful to protect it against water and dust. If you shoot under these conditions very often, consider checking Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing page.

    Nikon S6900 Lens

    Nikon S6900 features a 25-300 mm F3.3-6.3 12× zoom lens. Lens has a good wide angle capability starting at 25mm and remarkable super telephoto reach at 300mm.

    Wide Coverage

    Compact Cameras

    S6900
    Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS
    Average
    Telezoom

    Compact Cameras

    S6900
    Longest - Canon SX520 HS
    Average

    With a max aperture of f3.30 at 25mm, we can not consider this lens fast on wide end, and it is slow at the tele end with its max aperture of f6.30.

    Max Aperture at Wide

    Compact Cameras

    S6900
    Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
    Average
    Max Aperture at Tele

    Compact Cameras

    S6900
    Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
    Average

    S6900 is equipped with Optical image stabilization system which is very handy especially at lower shutter speeds.

    Nikon S6900 Sensor and Photography Features

    Nikon S6900 has a 16.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . You can shoot at maximum resolution of 4608 x 3456 pixels with aspect ratios of and 4:3. S6900 has a native ISO range of 125 - 6400 but unfortunately, Nikon S6900 doesn't have RAW file support. If you need a Compact camera with a RAW support, consider Nikon Coolpix P7800 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 (Lumix DMC-TZ80) in the same price range.

    Nikon S6900 is not the highest resolution Small Sensor camera. GoPro Hero9 Black with its 23.0MP sensor is leading in this class. Check the comparison of Nikon S6900 vs GoPro Hero9 Black or take a look at Highest resolution Compact cameras list.

    Let's look at how the size of the Nikon S6900's 1/2.3' sensor compares with other standard sensor sizes.

    Nikon S6900 Sensor Size Comparison
    Comparison image of Nikon S6900 Sensor Size with other standard sensors



    Nikon S6900 LCD

    Nikon S6900 has a Fully Articulated 3.00-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 460k dots. Articulated screens are more video oriented compared to only tilting or fixed screens. On the other hand, photography oriented users generally prefer tilting screens. Both the screen size and the screen resolution is up to the standards of this class.



    Nikon S6900 back view and LCD

    For those of you who loves shooting selfies, self or group photos, Nikon S6900 will make your life easier with its Selfie friendly screen. Another group of users who will take advantage of S6900's LCD screen are Vloggers and any video creators who are working in a single-person setup.


    S6900 doesn't have a viewfinder and no option for external viewfinder. Lack of a viewfinder can be problematic especially under strong light where visibility of LCD screens goes down dramatically. If you need a Compact camera with a built-in viewfinder in a similar price range, consider Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 (Lumix DC-TZ200) (Compare) or Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (Lumix DMC-TZ100) (Compare).
    Alternatively, check here the list of all Compact cameras with viewfinder..

    Nikon S6900 Connectivity, Storage and Battery

    Nikon S6900 features built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity ( with NFC) which lets you transfer your photos directly to compatible devices without any physical connection. With its NFC feature, S6900 can communicate with devices such as smartphones which are also equipped with this technology by simply touching each other.One other feature that we like is the ability to use our smartphone as a remote to control our S6900. You can change camera settings, release shutter, view LCD screen and tranfer files using remote control app.

    You can connect S6900 to compatible devices via its HDMI port or USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) port.

    Nikon S6900 Battery

    Nikon S6900 is powered by EN-EL19 battery which provides a battery life of 180 shots according to CIPA standards. Considering that the average battery life of Compact type cameras is 256 shots, Nikon S6900 has a short battery life for its class so we strongly recommend S6900 owners to invest in some extra batteries.

    Battery Life Comparison in Ultracompact Cameras

    Nikon S6900
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Nikon L32 with its 320shots is the model with longest battery life among Ultracompact cameras. Check the comparison of Nikon S6900 vs Nikon L32 or take a look at Longest Battery Life Compact cameras list.

    Nikon S6900 Features Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Max Video Battery Life Wi-fi Bluetooth NFC
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S7000
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 180shots Yes No Yes
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S9900
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 300shots Yes No Yes
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S1100pj
    Compare
    1280 x 720 shots No No No
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Canon ELPH 360 HS
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 180shots Yes No Yes
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S6500
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 shots Yes No No
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Nikon S3700
    Compare
    1280 x 720 240shots Yes No Yes
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Canon M100
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 295shots Yes Yes Yes
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Camera Sony W830
    Compare
    1280 x 720 shots No No No

    Nikon S6900 Video Features

    With Nikon S6900, you can record your videos at a highest resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 60i,50i,30p,25p fps and save in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats. Full HD resolution of Nikon S6900 will be adequate in most of the situations. But if you are after the highest resolution videos available, see our list of Top Cameras with 4K (Ultra-HD) Video.

    S6900 has a built-in Stereo microphone and a Mono speaker. On the other hand, Nikon S6900 doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones. If you need a Compact camera with external microphone connectivity, consider Nikon Coolpix P7800 or Nikon Coolpix P7100 in a similar price range.

    Also read:

    • Best Compact Cameras with Microphone Port
    • Best Compact Cameras with Headphone Port

    Nikon S6900 Other Features

    Max Shutter speed

    Nikon S6900 can shoot continuously at max speed of 9.0 fps and has max shutter speed of 1/4000 sec.

    Flash

    Unfortunately S6900 doesn't have an external flash shoe so you are limited with the built-in flash.

    Focusing

    Nikon S6900 features a Contrast Detection autofocusing system.

    Nikon S6900 also features Face detection AF where it intelligently detects the faces in the frame and locks the focus automatically.

    What type of Photography is Nikon S6900 Good for?
    In this section, we review and score Nikon S6900 in 5 different photography areas.

    Nikon S6900 for Portrait Photography

    Nikon S6900 has a score of 22 for Portrait Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Portrait We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Portrait Photography list and consider these alternatives over theS6900.
    Image Stabilization
    Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S6900 for Portrait Photography

    Nikon S6900 for Street Photography

    Nikon S6900 has a score of 60 for Street Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. If you are looking for a camera that is better suited to Street Photography, we recommend you to check our Top 10 Compact Cameras for Street Photography list.
    Live-view
    Face-Detection Focusing
    Fully Articulated LCD Screen
    Image Stabilization
    25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    Small Body
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S6900 for Street Photography

    Nikon S6900 for Sports Photography

    Nikon S6900 has a score of 21 for Sports Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Sports We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Sports Photography list and consider these alternatives over theS6900.
    Fast Continuous Shooting: 9.0fps
    Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
    Wireless Connection
    Image Stabilization
    300 mm Tele Lens
    Environmental Sealings
    Focus Points
    Poor Battery Life: 180 shots
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No External Flash Shoe
    Slow Lens at Tele: f6.30
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S6900 for Sports Photography

    Nikon S6900 for Daily Photography

    Nikon S6900 has a score of 61 for Daily Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. If you are looking for a camera that is better suited to Daily Photography, we recommend you to check our Top 10 Compact Cameras for Daily Photography list.
    Compact Body
    181g
    12.0X Optical Zoom
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S6900 for Daily Photography

    Nikon S6900 for Landscape Photography

    Nikon S6900 has a score of 19 for Landscape Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Landscape We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Landscape Photography list and consider these alternatives over theS6900.
    25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
    No Environmental Sealings

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S6900 for Landscape Photography
    Nikon S6900 Alternatives
    In this section, we analyse how Nikon S6900 compares with other Compact cameras within a similar price range.
    Read a more detailed analysis of Nikon S6900 alternatives.

    Popular Comparisons of Nikon S6900

    Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Nikon S6900 amongst Camera Decision readers.

    Nikon S7000
    Nikon S7000
    Compare
    Nikon S9900
    Nikon S9900
    Compare
    Nikon S1100pj
    Nikon S1100pj
    Compare
    Canon ELPH 360 HS
    Canon ELPH 360 HS
    Compare
    Nikon S6500
    Nikon S6500
    Compare
    Nikon S3700
    Nikon S3700
    Compare
    Canon M100
    Canon M100
    Compare
    Sony W830
    Sony W830
    Compare

    Nikon S6900 Alternatives in Cameras

    It would also be interesting to compare Nikon S6900 with Cameras. Below we have listed 4 highest ranked cameras in Nikon S6900's price range.

    Nikon S6900 Conclusion and Scores

    Currently, Nikon S6900 has an Overall Score of 40/100 which is based on our evaluation of 69 different technical parameters. Our scores are dynamically updated whenever a new camera is added to our database or when we change our ranking algorithm and the maximum score is always 100. Nikon Coolpix S6900 is ranked #184 out of 631 in Compact cameras (Top 20 Compact), and ranked #749 out of 1240 in all Cameras (Top 20 Overall).

    #749 out of 1240 in Top Ranking Cameras
    #184 out of 631 in Top Ranking Compact Cameras
    #13 out of 152 in Top Ranking Ultracompact Cameras
    #267 out of 740 in Top Ranking Small Sensor Sensor Cameras
    #173 out of 179 in Top Ranking Cameras with Selfie friendly Screen
    #320 out of 536 in Lightest Compact Cameras with Small Sensor sensor(181g)
    #131 out of 133 in Top Ranking Cameras with Fully Articulated Screen

    Main Scores
    Imaging
    Features
    Value for Money
    Portability
    Overall Score
    Check our Smart Finder Tool to filter, sort and compare all digital cameras.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Nikon S6900
    Does the Nikon S6900 have Image Stabilization?
    Does the Nikon S6900 have RAW support?
    Does the Nikon S6900 have Weather Sealing?
    Does the Nikon S6900 have built-in GPS?
    What is the Max ISO of Nikon S6900?
    What is the Sensor Size of Nikon S6900?
    is the Nikon S6900 a Full Frame (FF) camera?
    Does the Nikon S6900 have Touch Screen?
    Does the Nikon S6900 have built-in Wireless?
    What is the Max Continuous Shooting Speed (fps) of Nikon S6900?
    What is the Weight of Nikon S6900?
    What are the Dimensions of Nikon S6900?
    Nikon Coolpix S6900 Detailed Specifications

    General
    Brand Nikon
    Model Nikon Coolpix S6900
    Announced 2015-02-10
    Body Type Ultracompact
    Lens
    Manual Focus
    Lens Mount fixed lens
    Lens Focal Range 25-300 mm (12×)
    Max Aperture F3.3-6.3
    Macro Focus Range 2cm
    Screen
    Screen Type Fully Articulated
    Screen Size 3.00"
    Screen Resolution 460k dots
    Live View
    Touch Screen
    Viewfinder
    Viewfinder None
    Viewfinder Resolution no electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Coverage n/a
    Viewfinder Magnification n/a
    Photography Features
    Min Shutter Speed 4s
    Max Mechanical Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 9.0 fps
    Shutter Priority
    Aperture Priority
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Exposure Compensation n/a
    Custom White Balance
    Image Stabilization
    Built-in Flash
    Flash Range 2.80 m (at Auto ISO)
    Flash Modes n/a
    External Flash
    AE Bracketing
    WB Bracketing
    Exposure Modes
    Multi-Segment
    Average
    Spot
    Partial
    AF-Area
    Center Weighted
    DxO Sensor Scores
    DxO Overall Score not tested
    DxO Color Depth not tested
    DxO Dynamic Range not tested
    DxO Low Light ISO not tested
    Report a correction

    Sensor
    Sensor Type CMOS
    Sensor Size 1/2.3'
    Sensor Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.07mm2
    Sensor Resolution 16 megapixels
    Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3456
    Max Native ISO 6,400
    Min Native ISO 125
    RAW Support
    Autofocus
    AF Touch
    AF Continuous
    AF Single
    AF Tracking
    AF Selective
    AF Center
    AF Multi Area
    AF Live View
    AF Face Detection
    AF Contrast Detection
    AF Phase Detection
    Video Features
    Video Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
    Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080
    Video Formats MPEG-4, H.264
    Microphone Port
    Headphone Port
    Connectivity
    Wireless Connectivity Built-In
    HDMI
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    Physical
    Environmental Sealing
    Water Proof
    Dust Proof
    Shock Proof
    Crush Proof
    Freeze Proof
    Weight 181g
    Physical Dimensions 99 x 58 x 28mm
    Battery Life 180 shots
    Battery Type Battery Pack
    Battery Model EN-EL19
    Other Features
    Self Timer Yes (2 or 10 secs)
    Timelapse Recording
    GPS None
    Storage Type SD/SDHC/SDXC
    Storage Slots 1


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