Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Nikon Coolpix S8200: Compact Superzoom Showdown for Every Photographer

Choosing the right compact superzoom camera can feel overwhelming, especially when both contenders come packed with intriguing features aimed at casual shooters and enthusiasts alike. Today, we put two well-regarded models head-to-head: the Canon ELPH 510 HS (also known as the IXUS 1100 HS) and the Nikon Coolpix S8200. Despite their similarities as small sensor 1/2.3" compact cameras, their subtle design differences, imaging performance, and handling nuances make each suited to diverse photography needs.

Drawing from our extensive hands-on testing and industry-standard evaluation methods, this comparison article examines every critical angle - from sensor tech and autofocus to physical ergonomics and real-world results. By the end, you'll have clear guidance on which camera aligns best with your shooting style and budget.

Outward Bound: Size, Design, and Handling

A camera's physical characteristics often define how comfortable and intuitive it feels in day-to-day shooting. Let’s start by sizing these compacts up.

Canon ELPH 510 HS impresses with a slender, pocketable frame - just 22mm thick - making it ideal if you prioritize portability on trips or street outings. The 3.2" touchscreen LCD offers intuitive controls and quick menu navigation that new photographers will appreciate.

Meanwhile, the Nikon S8200 is a bit chunkier with a greater depth of 33mm, which some may find adds a more reassuring grip. Its physical buttons, including a manual focus dial, lend preference to those who want tactile control without always diving into screen menus. However, the lack of touchscreen could slow beginners.

Ergonomically, both cameras omit viewfinders to maintain compactness, relying solely on their LCDs for composing shots. The Nikon’s LCD sports an anti-reflective coating versus Canon’s brighter PureColor II TFT - benefits differ depending on shooting environment brightness.

Who wins this round?
If portability and touchscreen simplicity top your checklist, the Canon ELPH 510 HS is your companion. For photographers preferring physical controls and a more substantial feel, Nikon Coolpix S8200 takes the lead.

Sensor Showdown: Image Quality and Resolution Realities

Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch backside-illuminated CMOS sensors - common in compacts for their balance of size and light sensitivity. However, sensor resolution stands apart: Canon’s sensor offers 12MP while Nikon pushes 16MP.

Higher resolution in the Nikon is tempting, promising more cropping flexibility and detail at standard print sizes. Yet, our controlled environment tests reveal the Canon’s 12MP sensor delivers slightly cleaner images at base ISO, with less noise at moderate settings up to ISO 800. The reason lies in sensor tuning and image processing pipelines, where Canon emphasizes clean, pleasing JPEG output, optimized for casual shooters.

For landscape photographers requiring the utmost detail, Nikon’s 16MP could edge ahead - particularly when shooting in ideal lighting and downsampling for better noise control.

Autofocus and Zoom Experience: Speed, Accuracy, and Reach

Superzoom compacts demand autofocus systems that are both quick and reliable to capture fleeting moments. Let's compare:

Canon equips the ELPH 510 HS with touch AF, including continuous autofocus for smoother tracking in video and photo modes - an impressive offering in this price segment. This system tracks faces effectively but lacks sophistication for wildlife or action sports.

Nikon, lacking continuous AF, compensates with a faster burst shooting speed of 6fps, suitable for sporadic burst captures in casual sports scenarios. The presence of manual focus unlocks creative control for macro or selective focusing, which the Canon omits, limiting fine adjustment in challenging situations.

Optical zoom reach is marginally longer on the Nikon at 14x (25-350mm), offering extra reach for distant subjects like wildlife or street candid moments. However, the slight difference in starting wide angle (Canon’s 28mm vs Nikon’s 25mm) isn’t large enough to be decisive but can marginally affect framing wide scenes.

Composing and Reviewing Images: LCDs and Interface

The rear-screen usability impacts how readily you can frame shots, review photos, and adjust settings on the fly.

With a larger touchscreen, the Canon ELPH 510 HS makes menu navigation and focus point selection straightforward. However, its 461k resolution means images appear less crisp when reviewing details, which can expose flaws on close inspection.

Nikon’s screen, while lacking touch input, doubles the pixel density at 961k dots, yielding sharper previews - excellent when checking focus during travel or macro sessions.

Recommendation: When shooting on the go, especially in bright conditions, Nikon’s clearer screen helps in precise composition despite the lack of touchscreen convenience.

Real-World Image Quality: Sample Photos from Both Cameras

Our side-by-side field tests demonstrate how each camera performs across lighting conditions and subjects.

Canon ELPH 510 HS front Canon ELPH 510 HS screen back Nikon S8200 front Nikon S8200 screen back

• Portraits: Canon’s color science produces more natural skin tones with smoother bokeh at longer focal lengths, lending warmth and softness to portraits. Nikon’s higher resolution captures more details but can introduce harsher noise at higher ISO.
• Landscapes: Nikon’s extra megapixels help in cropping and resolving fine textures like foliage and rocks. Both cameras' dynamic ranges are limited but satisfactory in good light.
• Macro: Nikon’s manual focus option provides advantage for critical focusing on tiny subjects. Canon’s images are less sharp close up, possibly due to lens design and fixed AF.
• Low Light: Neither camera excels in dim environments due to sensor size, but the Canon’s noise control slightly surpasses Nikon’s, offering cleaner shadows.

How They Fare Across Photography Styles

Let’s dive into a detailed genre-by-genre performance comparison based on actual testing:

Video Capture Capabilities

Both cameras can shoot Full HD video, but there are subtle differences impacting your filming experience.

Canon’s continuous autofocus during video and slow-motion capability give it an edge for casual videographers. Nikon’s lack of continuous AF can result in focus hunting but provides slightly smoother frame rates at full HD. Neither offers external mic inputs, limiting professional audio capture.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity Essentials

Reliable power and connection options matter for uninterrupted shooting - especially for travel photographers.

Canon’s support for Eye-Fi wireless cards enables easy photo upload to compatible devices - helpful for rapid sharing without cables. Nikon lacks wireless features, which may be a downside if wireless transfer is important.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither model offers environmental sealing, limiting rugged outdoor use in harsh weather or dusty environments. Both rely on plastic exteriors and lightweight designs suited mainly for everyday casual usage in fair conditions.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Money

At launch, the Canon ELPH 510 HS was priced around $200, making it an affordable compact with ample zoom, touchscreen, and video functionality for beginners.

The Nikon S8200 debuted significantly higher, near $330, reflecting its higher resolution sensor, manual focus capabilities, and slightly superior burst rate.

Given the age of both, market prices are generally similar in the used/refurbished segment. The Canon’s value lies in user-friendliness and lightweight design, while the Nikon appeals to those wanting more resolution and manual control.

Summing Up: Which Compact Superzoom Is Your Best Match?

Final Thoughts and Getting Started

Both the Canon ELPH 510 HS and Nikon Coolpix S8200 provide versatile superzoom options in pocketable packages. If you want straightforward shooting, with good skin tones and video performance, Canon’s compact 510 HS is hard to beat.

Should resolution and occasional manual control be priorities, Nikon’s S8200 delivers in a slightly bigger body, gifting more megapixels and a bigger zoom range.

We recommend trying both cameras in person where possible - play with the touchscreens, test the zooms, and peek at image previews to see which fits your shooting style best. Both cameras offer expandable SD card storage and standard USB/HDMI ports, ensuring compatibility with popular accessories.

For enthusiasts just stepping into superzoom compacts, either camera will enable you to explore photography creatively with ease.

Ready to find your perfect compact?
Explore compatible accessories like fast SD cards and protective cases, and jump into shooting portraits, travel snaps, or street scenes with confidence. Your next photographic adventure awaits!