Canon PowerShot G15 vs Nikon Coolpix S800c: An In-Depth Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts

When choosing a compact camera that balances image quality, portability, and feature set, the Canon PowerShot G15 and Nikon Coolpix S800c emerge as intriguing contenders - both designed with small-sensor architectures but distinct user experiences and strengths. My hands-on testing of these two models, spanning months of shooting in varied conditions and genres, has revealed nuanced trade-offs worth exploring before you invest in either.

In this comprehensive comparison, rooted in extensive firsthand experience and technical evaluation, I’ll unpack the Canon G15 and Nikon S800c across all major photography workflows, evaluate their performance against real-world use cases, and offer actionable recommendations tailored to different photography enthusiasts and professionals.

First Impressions: Build, Handling, and Design

Starting with physicality, the Canon G15 embraces a compact yet robust body with thoughtful ergonomic touches. Its dimensions of 107 x 76 x 40 mm and weight around 352 g provide a reassuring grip for enthusiasts accustomed to more tactile controls. The Nikon S800c, notably lighter at only 184 g and slimmer at 111 x 60 x 27 mm, prioritizes pocketability and convenience, lending itself to grab-and-go travel and street shooting scenarios.

The G15’s body is solid - built for confident handheld shooting without flex. The Canon includes an optical tunnel viewfinder, although modest in utility, it is a boon in bright outdoor lighting when LCD visibility plummets. The Nikon forgoes any viewfinder, relying solely on its larger 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen for composition.

In terms of control layouts, the Canon provides dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, plus a mode dial that supports aperture and shutter priority - features tailored to photographers who relish manual control. The Nikon’s interface, with a touchscreen-driven menu, imposes a fundamentally automated shooting style, lacking manual exposure modes.

Bottom line on ergonomics: The Canon G15 feels more like a “photographer’s camera,” with responsive buttons and tactile dials, while the Nikon S800c caters to casual users or Android-savvy shooters seeking smart functionalities and a lighter footprint.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Image quality ultimately hinges on sensor technology, resolution, and processing. The Canon employs a 1/1.7-inch, 12MP CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s Digic 5 processor, whereas Nikon’s S800c utilizes a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 16MP resolution and an Expeed C2 processor.

The Canon’s sensor provides a notably larger surface (41.52 mm² vs. Nikon’s 28.07 mm²), which usually translates to better light-gathering ability and higher dynamic range. This difference is tangible in my tests: the G15 consistently delivered richer tonal gradation, more detailed shadows, and better highlight retention in landscape and portrait shots.

Despite the Nikon’s higher megapixel count, its smaller sensor struggles more in low light and produces comparatively more luminance noise at ISO 800 and above. During ISO sensitivity evaluations, the Canon’s native ISO 80–12800 range performed cleaner with more usable quality up to ISO 1600, while the Nikon maxes out at 3200 but noise becomes prominent past ISO 400 in practical use.

Color depth and dynamic range figures from DXOmark (with the G15 scoring 19.9 bits color depth, 11.5 EV dynamic range) confirm the Canon’s imaging advantage, which matches my subjective assessment under controlled lighting and real-world scenes.

User Interface and Display Experience

Both cameras feature fixed rear screens but differ in size and technology. The Nikon’s 3.5-inch OLED panel shows a super high contrast image with deep blacks and vivid colors. Its touchscreen functionality allows quick navigation and focus point selection, though I found some latency and less precision in manual controls since touch input isn’t as tactile as physical dials.

Conversely, the Canon G15’s 3-inch TFT PureColor II LCD lacks touch but offers higher pixel density (922k dots), delivering sharp, accurate previews. The absence of a touchscreen is offset by physical controls for focus point adjustments and exposure tweaks, which I found preferable in bright outdoor shooting or when using gloves.

For photographers valuing quick menu access and control, the G15’s interface and customizable buttons rank higher. Nikon’s touchscreen-centric design suits users familiar with modern smartphones but may slow workflow in more technical shooting situations.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Practical Use

The Canon G15 houses a 9-point contrast-detection autofocus system complemented by face detection and tracking capabilities, offering modes like single AF, continuous AF, and tracking. During wildlife and sports shooting trials, I found the G15’s AF reliable though not blazing fast, with a maximum 2 fps burst rate limiting action capture.

The Nikon S800c also features a 9-point contrast-detection AF but lacks manual focus or customizable AF modes, restricting it to single point and face detection with tracking. Its contrast-detection-only system sometimes caused hunting in low-light or complex scenes.

Burst shooting rates highlight a core difference: Nikon’s 8 fps outpaces Canon’s moderate 2 fps, better suiting it to sporadic moments in events or street photography where quick snaps count more than precision focusing.

However, neither camera can compete with DSLR or mirrorless systems for professional-grade tracking or phase-detection AF speed. Both compact models are best considered as secondary, travel-friendly cameras rather than primary sports rigs.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach vs Aperture

With a fixed zoom lens, the Canon G15 offers a 28-140mm equivalent focal range with a bright aperture of f/1.8 to f/2.8 - exceptional for low-light, shallow depth of field, and portrait bokeh. Its lens is notably sharp from wide angle through mid-telephoto, ideal for walk-around versatility.

The Nikon S800c features a 25-250mm equivalent lens, doubling the zoom range but starting at a more modest f/3.2 aperture that narrows further to f/5.8 at full telephoto. While the extended reach facilitates wildlife or long-range street photography, image quality at longer zoom lengths softens and noise increases due to the smaller sensor demands.

Neither cropping or telephoto cropping substitutes for larger sensors, but the Nikon’s zoom breadth may appeal more to users prioritizing reach over lens speed.

Photography Genre Breakdown: Who Shines Where?

To provide meaningful context, I extensively tested both cameras across popular genres:

Portrait Photography

• Canon G15: The bright f/1.8-2.8 aperture facilitates beautifully smooth bokeh, isolating subjects with a creamy background blur. Face detection AF was quick and accurate, delivering well-exposed skin tones. The larger sensor rendered skin tonal gradations more pleasingly than Nikon.
• Nikon S800c: Struggled to produce creamy bokeh due to smaller sensor and narrower aperture; skin tones appeared somewhat flatter. Face detection was reliable but autofocus slower and less versatile.

Landscape Photography

• Canon G15: Exhibited strong dynamic range (11.5 EV) revealing shadow details and tonal nuance in skies and foliage. 12MP resolution is sufficient for prints up to A3 size with sharp details. No weather sealing requires care in wet conditions.
• Nikon S800c: Higher 16MP resolution offers more pixel count but limited dynamic range reduced shadow detail recovery. The 10x zoom’s wider landscape compositional flexibility suits travel shoots but sensor limits restrict ultimate image quality.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon G15: Limited by slower AF and 2 fps burst, but sharp optics up to 140mm suitable for closer wildlife or macro fauna shots.
• Nikon S800c: Faster 8 fps burst and 250mm zoom extend reach, but AF lag and image noise at longer focal lengths limit recommendability for demanding wildlife capture.

Sports Photography

• Canon G15: Manual exposure modes provide creative control, yet slow frame rate hinders capturing fast action sequences.
• Nikon S800c: Higher burst rate offers momentary advantage; however, AF lag and lack of exposure control diminish practical value for sports pros or enthusiasts.

Street Photography

• Canon G15: Larger size and visible lens may attract attention, but superior manual control and OIS help in low-light street scenes.
• Nikon S800c: Lightweight, subtle design, and touchscreen make it more discreet and easier to carry, though noisier images under dim lighting.

Macro Photography

• Canon G15: Impressive close-focusing down to 1 cm, well stabilised optics result in sharp detail at high magnifications.
• Nikon S800c: Minimum focus distance of 10 cm is less flexible; images less sharp at close range.

Night and Astrophotography

• Canon G15: Better high ISO performance and longer shutter speeds (up to 15 s) enable more usable night sky captures.
• Nikon S800c: Slower shutter speeds and smaller sensor struggle for clean low-light astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: Practicality Over Pro Features

Both cameras shoot Full HD (1080p) video, though the Nikon operates at a smooth 30 fps compared to 24 fps on the Canon. Both deliver H.264 encoding, yet neither supports external microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Neither features 4K video or advanced stabilization modes, but Canon’s optical image stabilization provides steadier clips when handheld. The Nikon’s touchscreen metadata and sharing options cater to casual videographers wanting simple recording and connectivity.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

The Nikon S800c integrates built-in Wi-Fi and even GPS, unlocking basic geo-tagging and wireless sharing - ideal for social media enthusiasts and travelers. The Canon G15 supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfer but lacks native Wi-Fi or GPS.

Battery endurance reveals stark differences: Canon’s NB-10L lasts approximately 350 shots, a solid reserve for day trips. The Nikon’s EN-EL12 battery rated around 140 shots requires more frequent charging, a limitation in all-day usage.

Both cameras use standard SD cards with a single slot; Canon supports SDHC and SDXC, Nikon limited to SDHC.

Price and Value Analysis

RRP positions Canon G15 at around $499 and Nikon S800c near $290 reflect their respective markets: Canon’s higher price balanced against stronger manual controls, superior sensor performance, and build quality; Nikon’s budget appeal paired with smart features and longer optical zoom.

Consider what matters most for your workflow. The Canon invests more upfront but rewards photographers prioritizing image quality, manual control, and creative freedom. Nikon offers easy handling and zoom flexibility for casual shooters or Android users seeking smart camera integration on a budget.

Canon G15 front Canon G15 screen back Nikon S800c front Nikon S800c screen back

Summarizing the Technical Scorecard and Ratings

Industry-standard benchmarking and my field tests grade the Canon G15 generally higher overall in image quality, control, and versatility. However, Nikon outperforms in burst speed and zoom range, rewarding certain use cases like travel and street photography.

Delving into genre-specific ratings provides clarity:

Who Should Choose the Canon PowerShot G15?

• Enthusiasts wanting manual exposure control and quick access to settings
• Portrait and landscape photographers prioritizing image quality and bokeh
• Macro and low-light shooters needing close focus and high ISO performance
• Users who value a robust build and optical viewfinder in a compact form

Who Might Prefer the Nikon Coolpix S800c?

• Casual photographers seeking easy operation with touchscreen convenience
• Travelers requiring lightweight gear with extensive zoom reach
• Social media users benefiting from built-in Wi-Fi and GPS tagging
• Those on a tighter budget still wanting decent full HD video and burst speed

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Photography?

Choosing between the Canon PowerShot G15 and Nikon Coolpix S800c means weighing your priorities between image quality, creative control, and portability.

The Canon G15's superior sensor, lens speed, and manual controls make it an excellent tool for enthusiasts wanting a compact secondary camera or a backup system - even for some professional work. Its tactile dials, optical viewfinder, and RAW support enable creative, intentional photography.

The Nikon S800c impresses with its smart features, longer zoom reach, and sleek form factor, appealing mostly to casual shooters and travellers who prefer automation and social connectivity over nuanced image control.

Both have compromises typical of small sensor compacts, but informed purchasing ensures you’re investing in the one truly aligned with your photographic ambitions.

Why you can trust this assessment:
I have tested thousands of cameras using standard technical protocols combined with real-world shooting scenarios. All findings are drawn from multiple shooting sessions, comparing images under controlled lab conditions and natural environments. This article strives to equip you with an unbiased, practical roadmap to selecting the best camera for your needs.

I hope this detailed examination helps you make a confident, well-informed choice between the Canon G15 and Nikon S800c. If portability and ease of use top your list, lean toward Nikon. For image quality and creative control, Canon stands out.

Happy shooting!