Should I buy a used Nikon Coolpix S9900 or Sony RX100 III?

Choosing between a used Nikon Coolpix S9900 and a Sony RX100 III mostly comes down to zoom reach vs. overall image quality.

Short answer

• Pick the Sony RX100 III if you want the better all-around image quality, especially in low light. Its 1-inch sensor is much larger than the S9900’s smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor, so it should generally produce cleaner files with better dynamic range.
• Pick the Nikon Coolpix S9900 if you want a more versatile travel camera for distant subjects. It’s the better choice when zoom matters more than absolute image quality.

What matters most

1. Image quality: The Sony RX100 III has the advantage here because of its larger sensor and fast lens design.
2. Zoom: The Nikon S9900 offers much more telephoto reach, so it’s better for faraway subjects like wildlife, sports, or sightseeing details.
3. Handling/features: Both are older cameras, so condition matters a lot. Check the battery, lens operation, zoom mechanism, screen, and any built-in viewfinder or articulating display if those features matter to you.

My recommendation

• Buy the Sony RX100 III if you want the better camera for most situations.
• Buy the Nikon S9900 only if you know you’ll regularly use the extra zoom.