I'll confess my bias up front. As result, I can't but help compare my experience with the Epson camera to the new Nikon CoolPix 990.
First impressions are important.
I was disappointed to see that the package contained four unrechargeable AA alkaline batteries. After a 4-hour sightseeing drive with the CoolPix I had 12 discarded batteries to show for it. Nikon Provides a USB cable with which to download images to the PC, but I probably won't use it. This eliminates a download delay as well as the battery drain, and lets me retrieve images just as I would from any drive. The shutter button falls naturally under the forefinger, while the zoom buttons are within easy reach of the thumb.