Canon ELPH 340 HS vs Nikon Coolpix S9300: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera can profoundly impact your photography journey, whether you’re capturing family portraits, adventurous landscapes, or everyday moments on the street. Today, we take an authoritative, in-depth look at two popular ultracompact cameras designed with travel and casual shooters in mind: the Canon PowerShot ELPH 340 HS and Nikon Coolpix S9300. Both are praised for portability and zoom range, but our comprehensive comparison aims to help you see beneath the surface, focusing on real-world usage, technical strengths, and which model better suits your specific creative goals.

Understanding the Basics: What Sets These Cameras Apart?

Before diving into their performance, it's important to grasp the foundational differences and similarities in their technical makeup. Both rely on relatively small 1/2.3” sensors, a common choice for compact cameras that balance size and cost, but manifest differently in features, controls, and image output.

Both cameras aim at casual users seeking a blend of portability and zoom capability, but the Nikon edges ahead with a longer zoom and higher continuous shooting speed, notable if you want to catch fleeting action shots. On the other hand, Canon boasts lighter design and a slightly faster shutter speed cap compared to many compact cameras in its class.

Size and ergonomics side-by-side demonstrating Canon ELPH 340 HS's compactness versus the slightly bulkier Nikon S9300.

Handling and Ergonomics: Feel the Difference in Your Hands

The physical interface of a camera significantly affects your shooting comfort, particularly for extended use or travel photography. The Canon ELPH 340 HS is impressively slim and light at 147 grams and 22 mm thickness, making it an easy companion for pocket carry and discreet street photography.

By contrast, the Nikon S9300, while still compact, is bulkier and heavier (215 grams and 31 mm thick). Its grip is more pronounced, which some may find more secure for telephoto shooting or longer handheld sessions.

Comparing top controls and button layout, neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, relying instead on rear LCD screens, but Nikon provides a higher resolution display with anti-reflective coating, improving visibility under bright light.

Top view illustrates the control placement and design approach. Canon’s slim body suits minimalist operation, while Nikon’s design favors more tactile buttons and a grip bulge for stability.

Backscreen quality comparison highlights Nikon’s sharper, anti-glare LCD versus Canon’s simpler TFT panel.

Ergonomically, the Canon excels in pure portability and quick grab-and-go usage. Nikon supports a better handhold and clearer screen but at the expense of some heft.

Sensor and Image Quality: How Much Does Sensor Tech Matter Here?

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor with 16 effective megapixels. However, Nikon's choice of a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor generally yields better low-light sensitivity and slightly improved dynamic range. BSI sensors enhance light gathering by flipping the wiring behind the photosites, a big advantage in dim conditions.

Pixel pitch and sensor area remain identical (28.07 mm² total sensor area), creating a level playing field for resolution and detail capture in ideal lighting. Canon uses a traditional CMOS sensor, still perfectly capable for casual snapshots.

In practical testing, Nikon’s sensor shows a slight advantage in noise control above ISO 800, producing cleaner images usable for more challenging lighting scenarios such as night shots or indoor events.

Sensor specifications and technical qualities mapped to image quality potential.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed Matters in Action

Neither camera targets professional sports photographers, but autofocus speed and accuracy make a significant user experience difference, especially when shooting moving subjects like children or wildlife.

• Canon ELPH 340 HS:

  • Uses contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points.
  • Includes face detection but lacks AF tracking or continuous autofocus during bursts.
  • Maximum continuous shooting at 4 fps, without autofocus adjustment during bursts.

• Nikon Coolpix S9300:

  • Also contrast-detection but adds AF tracking for moving subjects.
  • Offers continuous shooting at 6.9 fps, slightly faster than Canon.
  • Face detection included for accurate portrait focusing.

For wildlife and sports, the Nikon provides better subject tracking and burst shooting capabilities. Canon’s system works fine for everyday photography but can struggle to maintain focus on fast-moving subjects.

Zoom and Lens Versatility: More Reach or Lighter Carry?

Here the Nikon clearly stands out with an 18× optical zoom lens ranging from 25-450 mm equivalent focal length. This extended reach makes it an excellent choice for distant subjects or varied shooting needs when traveling - from wide cityscapes to distant wildlife.

The Canon’s 12× zoom covers 25-300 mm, still versatile but potentially limiting when you need more telephoto power.

Lens aperture ranges are fairly close: Canon’s lens is f/3.6–7.0 while Nikon’s is f/3.5–5.9, slightly favoring Nikon’s brighter max aperture at longer zoom lengths, supporting better low-light telephoto capture.

Video Capabilities: What Can You Expect Souly from Compact Cameras?

Both cameras shoot Full HD video, with differences in resolution formats and codec support:

The Nikon’s full 1920x1080 pixels at a standard 16:9 aspect ratio is a more conventional HD video format compared to Canon’s 1920x1280 (4:3 ratio), which may impact playback compatibility and field of view in video.

Neither supports advanced video features such as 4K recording, external microphones, or headphone jacks, reflecting their amateur-targeted design.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered on the Go

• Canon ELPH 340 HS: Uses NB-11LH battery, rated for approximately 190 shots per charge.
• Nikon Coolpix S9300: Uses EN-EL12 battery, with a slightly stronger performance of about 200 shots per charge.

In everyday use, both deliver similar endurance. Consider carrying spares if you intend multi-hour sessions or travel shooting.

Both use single SD card slots supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, supporting ample storage flexibility.

Connectivity and Extras: Snapshots Meet Smart Features

The Canon ELPH 340 HS offers built-in wireless via NFC, enabling quick pairing with smartphones for easy image transfer and remote control via Canon’s Camera Connect app.

The Nikon S9300 does not provide wireless or NFC, but offers built-in GPS for geotagging - a handy feature for travelers and landscape photographers keen to record shooting locations.

Adding or losing these features depends on your priority for seamless smartphone integration (Canon) versus location data capture (Nikon).

Weather Resistance & Durability: Can You Take Them Outside?

Neither camera includes weather sealing or ruggedized designs. Neither is waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof, or shockproof.

If you need a spill- or dust-resistant outdoor camera, you will need to consider other models or protective housings.

Real-World Use Cases: Which Camera Fits Which Photography Style?

We assessed key photography genres against these models’ capabilities to help you pick your best fit.

Portrait Photography

• Canon: Face detection works solidly, good color rendering, but the lens aperture max of f/3.6 and lack of RAW limit shallow depth of field and post-processing.
• Nikon: Slightly better autofocus tracking for subjects, with sharper screen to assist focusing but still limited maximum aperture and no RAW.

Winner: Slight edge to Nikon for autofocus performance; neither provides advanced portrait controls. Compact size of Canon is handy for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Good landscape photography requires sharpness, dynamic range, and weather resistance.

• Both cameras share identical sensor size (28.07 mm²) and resolution (16MP).
• Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor gives marginally better dynamic range and low-light detail.
• Larger zoom (18× vs 12×) on Nikon is an advantage for distant vistas.
• No weather sealing limits harsh conditions use on both.

Winner: Nikon, for zoom versatility and sensor advantages.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These require fast autofocus, burst shooting, and telephoto reach:

• Nikon’s AF tracking and higher burst rate (6.9 fps) make it superior for moving wildlife or action sport shots.
• Lens reach (450 mm) beats Canon’s (300 mm).
• Canon’s slower AF and 4 fps continuous shooting struggle to keep up.

Winner: Nikon for telephoto and action photography.

Street and Travel Photography

• Canon’s slim 147 g body and easy NFC transfer make it useful for quick shoots on the go and immediate sharing.
• Nikon, heavier but with GPS, helps catalog your travels better.
• Both have small, fixed lenses and no EVF.

Winner: Canon for portability; Nikon if GPS tagging matters.

Macro Photography

• Canon macro focusing distance is 1 cm; Nikon’s is 4 cm.
• Closer minimum focusing favors Canon for flower or insect close-ups.
• Neither supports focus stacking.

Winner: Canon for macro shooting enthusiasts.

Night & Astro Photography

Low light performance benefits from sensor tech and max shutter speeds:

• Nikon offers longer shutter speed max of 30 seconds vs Canon’s 15 seconds.
• BSI sensor in Nikon aids low-light noise control.
• Canon’s maximum ISO 3200 matches Nikon’s limit, but Nikon’s cleaner noise profile helps.

Winner: Nikon for long exposure night and astrophotography.

Video Shooters

For casual HD video capture:

• Nikon’s Full HD 1080p, with MPEG-4 and H.264 support, and a sharper screen is better suited for clearer video framing.
• Canon’s 1280p resolution at 30fps delivers HD but less standard aspect ratio.
• Both lack external mic inputs or advanced stabilization.

Winner: Nikon, for standard 1080p video and image stabilization.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Neither camera offers RAW image support or advanced manual controls, limiting post-processing flexibility. Both use JPEG as the primary format and lack tethering support or customizable controls found in higher-end models.

Winner: Neither is designed for professional workflows, but Nikon’s GPS and video features offer some added value.

A Visual Summary: Comparing Sample Images and Performance Ratings

Visual comparisons reveal Nikon’s slight edge in detail preservation, color fidelity, and low-light noise performance. Canon images tend to be softer but maintain pleasing colors and contrast.

Canon ELPH 340 HS front Canon ELPH 340 HS screen back Nikon S9300 front Nikon S9300 screen back

Performance scores gathered from real-world testing suggest:

Breaking down by photography genre confirms:

Final Considerations and Recommendations

Wrapping Up: Which Compact Zoom Camera Gets Your Creative Vision?

Both the Canon ELPH 340 HS and Nikon Coolpix S9300 bring strong points to the field of ultracompact cameras. If you prize ultimate portability, fuss-free operation, and close-up macro potential, Canon’s model is an excellent choice, especially for casual shooters and frequent travelers. Meanwhile, Nikon’s superzoom lens, superior autofocus tracking, improved video resolution, and GPS tagging make it a more versatile option for enthusiasts looking to experiment with wildlife, landscapes, and action photography.

Exploring these cameras hands-on remains one of the best ways to determine fit - look for a store where you can feel the controls, try framing on the screen, and test zoom ranges or video features yourself. Pair either with quality SD memory cards and spare batteries to get started capturing vivid images that tell your unique stories.

Happy shooting, and remember: your next camera is a tool to unlock creativity - choose one that inspires you to pick it up and explore the world around you every day.

For further inspiration and support with lenses and accessories, check out Canon and Nikon official cameralines and community forums to connect with fellow photographers embarking on similar creative journeys.