Canon PowerShot A810 vs Nikon Coolpix S9300: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Cameras from 2012

In the ever-evolving world of compact cameras, the early 2010s marked an interesting phase where manufacturers balanced affordability, zoom reach, and image quality in small packages targeting casual photographers and enthusiasts alike. Today, I'm comparing two such contenders: Canon's PowerShot A810 and Nikon's Coolpix S9300. Both announced in 2012, these cameras occupy slightly different niches within the compact camera genre yet share some overlapping features and ambitions.

Having spent many hours with both, testing them across a variety of photographic disciplines - from portraits to landscapes, even some casual wildlife snapping - I aim to give you an authoritative and practical assessment to help you decide which suits your needs best. We'll dive into their technical guts, how they feel and perform in real-world shooting, and ultimately their value propositions.

Let’s get to it.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling Comfort

When I pick up a camera, the tactile experience often shapes my first impression. Here, the Canon A810 and Nikon S9300 are both compact, designed for portability, but they differ subtly in footprint and ergonomics.

The Canon A810 is noticeably smaller and lighter, weighing a mere 171 grams with dimensions of 95 x 62 x 30 mm. Powered by two AA batteries, it offers an advantage for travelers who prefer interchangeable battery packs easily spottable at any convenience store worldwide. The Canon's grip is minimal, reflecting its budget orientation, but it remains easy to hold for casual shooting.

On the other hand, the Nikon S9300 is chunkier at 215 grams and a bit longer - 109 x 62 x 31 mm. It uses a proprietary rechargeable battery (EN-EL12), which is less universally accessible but provides balanced weight distribution. The larger body accommodates an 18x optical zoom lens, clearly prioritizing telephoto reach over compactness. Buttons and dials feel slightly better segmented here despite not being fully customizable, lending an impression of a more sophisticated design, especially when viewed from the top.

If you prize pocketability above everything, the Canon edges forward. But if you want a more substantial feel with a longer zoom in your palm, Nikon becomes the pick.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality - The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras use the same sensor size: 1/2.3” (6.17 x 4.55 mm), a common sensor format for compact cameras at this level. Each packs 16 megapixels of resolution, yielding a maximum image size of 4608 by 3456 pixels, which on paper looks promising for casual printing and digital viewing.

However, the sensor design differs fundamentally. The Canon A810 relies on an older CCD sensor, which traditionally excels in color rendition with pleasant tonal gradations but falls short on noise management, especially at higher ISOs. The native ISO caps at 1600, and while this is adequate for daytime shooting, I found noise creeping in quickly beyond ISO 400 in practical tests.

The Nikon S9300, meanwhile, sports a more modern BSI CMOS sensor with backside illumination - technology designed to increase light sensitivity and minimize noise in low light. This sensor doubles the ISO range to 3200 native, lending better performance in dimmer conditions.

In real-world use, Nikon’s images consistently show less noise and better shadow detail, especially at ISO 800 and above. The Canon's CCD sensor still produces punchy, vibrant colors which some might prefer, but the Nikon’s image files offer more latitude for cropping and post-processing, owing to superior noise control and dynamic range.

Lens and Zoom – Going Wide or Getting Close

Lens specs often define the shooting style a camera facilitates. Both have fixed lenses but with different focal lengths and apertures:

• Canon A810: 28-140 mm equivalent (5x zoom), aperture f/2.8-f/6.9
• Nikon S9300: 25-450 mm equivalent (18x zoom), aperture f/3.5-f/5.9

The Canon's lens opens wider at the short end (f/2.8) compared to Nikon’s f/3.5, which helps in low-light wide-angle shots and portraits with some background separation. However, Canon’s telephoto reach is limited, maxing out at an equivalent 140mm, suitable for casual snapshots but not for serious wildlife or sports.

Nikon impresses with its enormous 18x reach providing 450mm equivalent telephoto power - rare for a compact. This allows you to shoot distant subjects, wildlife, or sports better from afar. Also, the Nikon's longer zoom benefits significantly from optical image stabilization to combat camera shake.

Macro capabilities favor the Canon marginally with a minimum focusing distance of 3 cm (versus Nikon’s 4 cm), giving it a slight edge for very close-up detail shots.

Display and Interface – Your Window to Composition

Screen quality and usability impact everything from framing to reviewing your shots.

The Canon A810 has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots resolution - adequate but noticeably dim and low-res by today’s standard. Colors feel washed out under bright sunlight, challenging outdoors live-view composition.

The Nikon S9300 ups the ante with a brighter, sharper 3.0-inch TFT LCD featuring 921k dot resolution and anti-reflective coating. This screen makes it easier to check details in-field and navigate menus quickly, improving workflow efficiency.

Neither has a viewfinder, electronic or optical, so you’ll rely on the LCD only.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance - Responsiveness When It Matters

Focusing speed and shooting burst rates are often overlooked but crucial for certain photography genres.

The Canon A810 uses a 9-point contrast-detection autofocus system with face detection, which works decently for static subjects but tends to hunt in low light and struggles with moving targets. Continuous shooting is a leisurely 1 fps, limiting its usefulness for action or wildlife photography.

In contrast, the Nikon S9300 has a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and multi-area focus, not specifying the number of focus points but providing better tracking performance in my trials. Continuous shooting at 6.9 fps lets you capture sequences of fast action - impressive for a compact camera - and the shutter speed maxes out at 1/8000 sec, helping freeze fast-paced subjects.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

How do these cameras hold up across key photographic disciplines? This is where practical use cases and long-term satisfaction come into play.

Portrait Photography

Portraits benefit from good skin tone rendition, background separation (bokeh), and sharp eye detection. Canon’s wider aperture at the wide end (f/2.8) helps isolate subjects with gentle background blur. Nikon’s smaller aperture struggles here but compensates with longer zoom to compress features for alternative portrait styles.

Neither camera offers RAW support, limiting post-processing freedom. Both cameras provide face detection AF, but neither has advanced eye-detection AF, which limits precision in professional portraiture.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prize high resolution, dynamic range, and weatherproofing. Both cameras feature 16 MP output, adequate for prints up to 16x20 inches. The Nikon’s BSI CMOS sensor delivers better dynamic range; hence, it preserves highlight and shadow details in backlit or high contrast scenes.

Weather sealing is not present in either, so both require caution in damp or dusty environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

For these fast-action fields, autofocus speed, burst rate, and telephoto reach are paramount.

Here, Nikon’s S9300 shines with 18x zoom, fast burst shooting, and superior AF tracking - essential for birds or sports fencing across a field. Canon’s modest 5x zoom and paltry 1 fps burst speed greatly limit its utility for these subjects.

Street Photography

A pocketable camera that can shoot discreetly and perform well in varying light is key.

Canon’s smaller size and lighter weight make it easier to carry and less conspicuous. However, Nikon’s superior sensor sensitivity and higher resolution screen aid in rapid framing and low-light shooting. Neither excel in silence or quick manual controls usually favored for street work.

Macro Photography

Canon’s 3 cm minimum focusing distance is a slight boon for macro enthusiasts, yielding sharper close-up details without accessories. Nikon’s 4 cm is close but offers slightly less magnification.

Video Capabilities - Moving Images Compared

Video is a secondary concern for most compact users but worth assessing.

The Canon A810 records HD video at 1280x720 25 fps, using H.264 compression. This resolution is standard for budget models but pales next to full HD standards emerging in 2012.

Nikon S9300 offers full HD 1080p at 30 fps and also supports 720p and VGA modes. Video quality is noticeably smoother with better detail retention. It also features an HDMI output for easy playback on external displays, absent on the Canon.

Neither models have external microphone inputs, limiting audio quality control.

Battery Life and Storage - Powering Your Shoot

While portability is often prioritized, practical factors like battery life deserve scrutiny.

The Canon A810 runs on two standard AA batteries, which provide around 220 shots per charge - a mixed blessing. On one hand, easy replacement anywhere; on the other, practical battery life is modest, and AA batteries add weight in your bag.

The Nikon S9300 uses a proprietary EN-EL12 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, rated for about 200 shots per charge. While less flexible in replacement options, it delivers a slightly more consistent power profile.

Both cameras use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot with ample storage flexibility.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Connectivity options on both cameras are limited - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC on either. Nikon does include built-in GPS - a handy tool for travel photography to geotag images automatically - which Canon’s model lacks.

Pricing and Value Assessment

As of their original launch:

• Canon PowerShot A810: Approximately $99 USD (budget-friendly)
• Nikon Coolpix S9300: Approximately $249 USD (mid-range compact)

This places Nikon’s S9300 firmly as a higher-tier compact camera with more advanced features - including longer zoom, better sensor, and video capabilities - while Canon’s A810 caters to entry-level, casual photographers who want simplicity and affordability.

Visual Examples and Overall Scores

Now, let’s look at sample image quality and summarized evaluation across several core criteria.

Canon A810 front Canon A810 screen back Nikon S9300 front Nikon S9300 screen back

From portrait to wildlife, the Nikon outperforms overall, especially when zoom reach and video are considered. Canon comes in as a practical low-price point option.

Who Should Choose Which?

To wrap up, here’s my tailored advice after extensive hands-on testing across multiple scenarios:

• Choose the Canon PowerShot A810 if:

  • Budget is your primary concern, and you want a simple, dead-easy compact for casual snapshots and travel.
  • You prefer AA batteries for convenience in remote locations.
  • You favor lightweight small size over zoom reach and advanced features.
  • You shoot mostly in good light, with no strong need for video or bulky zoom.

• Choose the Nikon Coolpix S9300 if:

  • You want a versatile compact capable of reaching far-away subjects thanks to the impressive 18x zoom lens.
  • Better low-light and video performance matter to you.
  • You need moderate burst shooting speed for capturing action.
  • You appreciate a higher resolution, anti-reflective screen and GPS tagging.
  • You don’t mind charging a proprietary battery and paying a premium price.

Concluding Thoughts: Balanced Compacts with Very Different Roles

While these two cameras seem to live in a broadly similar universe of compact photography, their strengths lie on different axes. The Canon PowerShot A810 reminds me of a reliable, budget workhorse: simple, straightforward, and lightweight. The Nikon Coolpix S9300, meanwhile, leans toward the enthusiast niche, packing more tech and versatility into a still portable form.

Neither will satisfy professional photographers - both lack RAW support, manual controls, and high-end sensors - but both offer respectable image quality and usability for their target audiences. Your choice hinges on whether you prioritize zoom reach and video capabilities over size and cost.

I hope this detailed comparison, enriched by hands-on insights and technical breakdowns, has provided clarity. When buying a compact camera - even a decade later - understanding these trade-offs can dramatically improve your satisfaction and photographic results.

Happy shooting!