Hi Dave,
I reviewed both camera specs again. I was wrong about the Sony being a constant f2.8 through the zoom range. Like the Nikon it goes up to f6.3 when you go into telephoto zoom. Both cameras have macro capability and allow focusing at 1cm in wifde angle mode. I was also wrong about the Sony shooting 4K video. Both cameras shoot HD video at 1920x1080 resolution. The Nikon is about $80 cheaper. I think they both are pretty equal in capability. The Nikon has a lower wide angle focusing range (23mm) which is better for landscapes. The difference in telephoto won't matter much. The 900mm telephoto range on the Nikon is as much as is usable for good bird pics. The low light capability is not generally as advertised. Once you get past iso 800 on most cameras, you run into unacceptable noise. So the cameras are probably equal in usable low light capabilities. The only thing I don't see on the nikon is timed exposures longer than 1 second. I'm not sure if either camera has a manual mode. You will need to buy a couple of sets of rechargeable batteries and a charger with either camera, as they will eat up regular batteries quickly. Another thing you will want is an sd card reader (fairly cheap) so you can insert the card into the reader and transfer your pics on the computer without going through the camera. It doesn't matter what camera or computer you have, done that way. You can tilt the lcd screen or not, up to you.
Bob

Thank you again very much Bob. You are a gentleman and a scholar. That's an excellent evaluation, with very relevant information that I needed.
I'll have to examine the two cameras a little more closely. But it's looking like it's going to be one of these two, and comes a time, one just takes the plunge.
I realize that compared to some of the cameras that are discussed on this forum, the one that suits me, and my pocketbook is in a different world entirely. But that's ok. I'm sure I'll spend many hours delving into all of it's technical intricacies.
Thanks again for your kind help. I appreciate the effort you placed on it, and for getting back to me so quickly.

Dave

Back again Bob,
I'm investigating batteries. What's your opinion, and for that matter what's anyones opinion, regarding your battery purchases? Here's my current dilemma.
The subject is, replacement batteries for a Sony NP-BX1 Type X. which lists at Sony.ca for $63.99 (a genuine Sony battery). Best Buy has two replacements for $39.99. The contact positions on the battery, in each picture, are different.????? One claims 950 mah, and the other 1050 mah. Amazon.ca also has several possibilities, one of which is, a genuine Sony battery for $63.10 (comparable to Sony's $63.99). Now here's the kicker. Amazon.ca also, has available, a 2 pack of 1800 mah batteries for $15.99. I could say, "WTF?" here, but I won't.
My question, I think, is quite simple. Which would you buy, and or not buy, and why? That's quite a price difference!!

Thanks..........Dave

Well I took the plunge! I bought the Sony from Best Buy for $420+tax, and 15 minutes later I went back on their site, and in that short time they'd added an open-box version of exactly the same thing (guaranteed mint) for $330+tax. Ninety bucks less, just like that! So I went for it. I figured, why not? That put it dead even with the Nikon.
I also checked out your Amazon link for 4 batteries for $19 US, and checked exactly the same thing on Amazon in Canada for $112. So I shopped Amazon a bit more and got 2 batteries with exactly the same specs., a lot of 5 star reviews, and a charger for $26 Cdn.
Now, all I'll have to do is steer through a fairly tight learning curve, while playing with my new toy. LoL

Thanks again Bob, and everbody else too. You were a big help.........................Dave