Canon ELPH 100 HS vs Nikon Coolpix S1100pj: The Ultimate Ultracompact Camera Showdown

Choosing the right ultracompact camera can feel like swimming through an ocean of features, specs, and marketing buzz. I've tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, and I can tell you - ultracompacts are all about striking a balance between portability, image quality, and ease of use. Today, we're diving deep into two elder statesmen of ultra-portability from Canon and Nikon: the Canon ELPH 100 HS (announced in 2011) and the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj (from 2010). Both target casual photographers and enthusiasts who want a compact companion without breaking the bank.

Despite being over a decade old, these cameras still illustrate fundamental trade-offs in sensor technology, lens range, ergonomics, and multimedia features that remain relevant for budget-conscious buyers or collectors. Let’s unpack their capabilities with a pragmatic eye and tease out which one suits your photography style best.

Canon ELPH 100 HS (left) and Nikon S1100pj (right) - size and form factor talk.

Portability and Ergonomics: Small But Mighty?

Ultracompacts excel by fitting in your pocket, yet still offering decent handling. Examining the physical dimensions:

• Canon ELPH 100 HS: 93 x 56 x 20 mm, 140 g
• Nikon S1100pj: 101 x 68 x 24 mm, 180 g

The Canon wins the slimness contest with a narrower, lighter body that’s easier to slip into small bags or tight coat pockets. It feels more pocket-friendly, which is crucial if you shoot street, travel, or anytime portability is king.

The Nikon, while slightly chunkier, compensates with a grippier, rounded design that can feel more secure in my hands during active shooting. Its slightly bigger footprint isn’t a dealbreaker, but if you’re a real cheapskate for pocket room, Canon nudges ahead on sheer compactness.

Controls are simplified on both - no external dials or artistic clubs for your thumbs here. Both cameras use menus for most settings, but the Canon’s navigation feels a bit snappier thanks to the DIGIC 4 processor, while the Nikon's touch interface on a non-touchscreen-type layout is quirky and not always intuitive.

Sidebar: Neither camera sports a viewfinder, meaning framing relies completely on their LCDs - more on that shortly.

Control layout topside: straightforward, minimal clubs for your thumbs here.

Screen Quality and Interface: Where You Frame Your Shots Matters

Both rock a 3-inch fixed LCD screen, but the glass quality and usability differ:

• Canon ELPH 100 HS: PureColor II G TFT LCD, 230k dots (lower resolution)
• Nikon S1100pj: 460k-dot LCD with touchscreen (though reportedly not fully capacitive touch sensitivity)

Despite the Canon's less sharp screen, the display is bright enough under varied lighting, and its color reproduction leans toward neutral, which is helpful in previewing exposure and color shifts accurately.

Nikon’s higher-res screen produces sharper previews with richer contrast, which helps when critically reviewing shots on the go. However, its touchscreen responsiveness is patchy, limiting it from being a fully fledged touchscreen camera.

For photographers who rely heavily on LCD previews for composition - especially in bright outdoor situations or Macro shots - the Nikon has a subtle edge. But the Canon’s straightforward interface edges out when it comes to quick menus and less finger gymnastics.

Back LCD comparison: Nikon’s more detailed screen versus Canon’s simpler, cleaner display.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Camera

Underneath the skin lies where most of the magic happens: the sensor.

• Canon ELPH 100 HS: 12 MP BSI-CMOS, 1/2.3" sensor size
• Nikon S1100pj: 14 MP CCD, 1/2.3" sensor size

Both sensors share the compact 1/2.3" format common in ultracompacts, limiting their ability to capture light vs larger APS-C or full-frame sensors, but Canon’s BSI-CMOS technology typically offers better noise handling and dynamic range while drawing less power.

The Nikon uses a traditional CCD sensor, which tends to produce vivid colors but often at the expense of noise control and lower high-ISO performance.

My hands-on testing bears this out: The Canon’s output shows cleaner images at ISOs above 400, with less noticeable grain and retention of highlight detail, making it more versatile for low-light and casual night photography. The Nikon’s photos are vibrant, but ISO 800 and above get noisy quickly, so bright daylight is its sweet spot.

Resolution on the Nikon is slightly higher, thus better suited if you want marginally larger prints or cropping flexibility - though at the cost of increased noise. Canon’s sensor delivers punchier results for portraits and landscapes, thanks to its newer processing engine.

Sensor specs and implications for image quality – BSI-CMOS edges CCD in low light.

Image Quality in Real-World Use

• Skin Tones (Portraits): Canon’s color science gives more accurate skin tones without oversaturation. Nikon sometimes pushes reds, making some complexions look unnaturally pink.
• Bokeh & Background Blur: Neither camera has wide apertures or large sensors, so shallow depth of field is limited. Canon’s f/2.8 at wide focal length does offer softer backgrounds than Nikon’s f/3.9.
• Sharpness & Detail: Nikon pulls slightly ahead in edge-to-edge sharpness at optimal apertures but requires good lighting.

Lens Range and Versatility: Zooming In and Out

On compact cameras, the fixed lens defines much of your shooting flexibility.

• Canon ELPH 100 HS: 28-112mm (4x optical zoom), aperture f/2.8 to f/5.9
• Nikon S1100pj: 28-140mm (5x optical zoom), aperture f/3.9 to f/5.8

The Nikon's longer zoom reach (140mm vs 112mm equivalent) benefits users wanting more telephoto coverage - handy for casual wildlife or sports snaps, although image quality at the tele end softens noticeably on both cameras.

Canon's slightly wider aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 vs f/3.9) helps in lower light and provides better subject isolation in portraits.

For macro enthusiasts, both can focus down to 3cm, allowing surprisingly tight close-ups for their class; however, lack of manual focus means you rely on autofocus precision, which can be hit-or-miss.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy

• Canon: Contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points, face detection, continuous AF, and tracking capabilities
• Nikon: 9 focus points, contrast-detection AF, but no continuous AF or face detection

In field testing, Canon’s AF was consistently quicker and more reliable, thanks to its DIGIC 4 processor and intelligent iSAPS technology. Tracking moving subjects was decent, especially for casual handheld shooting.

Nikon’s system struggles slightly with moving subjects and low-contrast scenes, resulting in slower lock times and occasional hunting.

So, for wildlife, sports, or any action photography within these ultracompacts’ limitations, Canon is the better bet.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed: Catching The Action

• Canon: Max continuous 3fps, shutter speeds 15s to 1/2000s
• Nikon: Continuous shooting specs not provided, shutter speeds 4s to 1/1500s

Canon’s faster max shutter speed and 3fps burst rate allow for tighter control on exposure and better odds at nailing moments in movement.

While neither camera is a sports powerhouse, Canon’s specs enable more flexibility for light action photography.

Video Features: Moving Pictures and Multimedia

• Canon: Full HD 1080p (24fps), 720p (30fps), slow-motion options (up to 240fps at 320x240), H.264 codec, HDMI output
• Nikon: 720p HD (30fps), 480p (30fps/15fps), no HDMI

Canon clearly leads here. The ability to shoot 1080p video at 24fps with H.264 compression and an HDMI port for external display or recording makes it surprisingly capable for casual videographers.

Nikon’s video is lower resolution and lacks HDMI, making it less attractive for anyone serious about video beyond casual clips.

Neither camera supports microphone or headphone jacks, so audio options are limited to onboard mics.

Battery Life and Storage

• Canon ELPH 100 HS: Battery model NB-4L, rated ~230 shots per charge
• Nikon S1100pj: Battery EN-EL12, battery life not officially specified

Canon’s battery life is average for compact cameras of its era; Nikon’s remains ambiguous, but anecdotal evidence suggests slightly shorter endurance.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, with Nikon adding internal memory as a bonus (though limited space).

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather-sealed, dustproof, shockproof, or freezeproof. These are stay-at-home, gentle-use cameras best kept sheltered from rough conditions.

Build materials are plastic-centric but solid enough for typical everyday carry.

Connectivity: The Old School Way

No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC on either camera. Data transfer depends on USB 2.0 cables, limiting speedy image transfer to modern devices.

Canon edges out with HDMI output, an important feature if you want to connect to TVs or external monitors.

Price and Value Proposition

Current prices (as of last availability):

• Canon ELPH 100 HS: ~$194
• Nikon Coolpix S1100pj: ~$399

An interesting pricing gap for cameras released around the same time.

Canon offers “bang for your buck” value with better sensor tech, sharper video, and more compact ergonomics at a much friendlier price.

Nikon seems to command a premium due to its projector feature - yes, this camera has a built-in pop-up projector, letting you display slideshows directly on walls - a quirky but niche addition that may justify the higher cost for some users.

Canon ELPH 100 HS front Canon ELPH 100 HS screen back Nikon S1100pj front Nikon S1100pj screen back

Performance in Popular Photography Genres

Let’s see how each camera fares in different shooting scenarios:

My Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Which?

When to Choose Canon ELPH 100 HS:

• You want a pocketable, ultra-light compact that shoots clean images in low light
• You enjoy shooting casual portraits with accurate skin tones and decent bokeh
• You dabble in Full HD video and want HDMI output
• You prioritize faster autofocus and better burst mode for casual action photography
• You’re a budget-conscious buyer who values value over flashy gimmicks

When the Nikon S1100pj Might Work for You:

• You crave a quirky projector camera for group sharing and entertainment
• You want a slightly longer zoom reach for telephoto shots, accepting some compromises
• You prefer a sharper, higher-resolution screen for photo review
• You shoot mostly in bright daylight and don’t mind larger camera bulk
• You don’t mind paying a premium for neat but non-essential bonus features

Wrapping Up: A Tale of Two Compacts

Both the Canon ELPH 100 HS and Nikon Coolpix S1100pj reflect their era’s typical compromises in size, sensor tech, and control, but in a head-to-head, Canon’s cleaner BSI-CMOS sensor, faster AF, better video, and slimmer body make it the more well-rounded ultracompact camera for serious photography enthusiasts on a budget.

The Nikon offers some unique value in its built-in projector and longer zoom but falls short in autofocus speed, video quality, and night performance.

When in doubt and if your priorities include image quality, portability, and video capability - Canon wins. However, the Nikon’s projector feature might just charm those looking for something different to spice up group photo sharing.

If nothing else, both cameras demonstrate how much ultracompact technology has evolved since 2010, offering lessons for today’s shooters about trade-offs in sensor design, user experience, and practicality.

Thanks for sticking with me through this detailed comparison - I hope it helps you make an informed camera choice that's right for your photography adventures!

Have questions or want to discuss your own camera experiences with these models? Drop a comment below or reach out via my socials. Always happy to geek out about gear!

This article is based on extensive hands-on testing with both cameras, including controlled lab tests and field trials across multiple photographic conditions. Image samples and performance ratings stem from direct experimentation, with no brand influence or sponsorship.