Canon PowerShot G16 vs Nikon Coolpix S5100: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

When it comes to compact cameras that slip easily into a pocket yet still pack a punch, the Canon PowerShot G16 and Nikon Coolpix S5100 have been popular contenders in their eras. Though both sit comfortably in the small sensor compact category, these two cameras cater to different users with divergent priorities: Canon leaning towards enthusiast-friendly controls and image quality, Nikon focusing on straightforward simplicity and ultra-portability.

Having spent countless hours behind lenses and keyboards testing hundreds of cameras, I rolled up my sleeves with both these compacts to see how they stack up - not just spec sheet to spec sheet, but in real-world shooting scenarios that matter to enthusiasts and pros dipping into pocket rockets. So, let’s unravel their similarities, differences, and who should really consider adding either to their kit.

Getting Hands-On: Size, Ergonomics & Handling

If you’ve spent any time juggling compact cameras, you know physical size and grip comfort often make or break the shooting experience. The Canon G16, released in late 2013, is a bit chunkier and more substantial compared to the slim and svelte Nikon S5100 from 2010. The Canon measures 109 x 76 x 40mm and weighs about 356 grams, while the Nikon is just 97 x 57 x 22mm with a featherweight 132 grams.

Holding the G16 feels reassuring - its firm grip contoured for your fingers, plus a textured rubberized coating helping prevent slips. It’s built like a mini tank, and its weight suggests it means business. In contrast, the S5100 feels delightfully lightweight and pocket friendly, but at times a tad too slender for my medium-sized hands, resulting in a “grip with care” approach to avoid drops.

Looking from above, the Canon’s top plate sports a dedicated mode dial, control dials, and a customizable button right under your thumb. The Nikon’s top design, in contrast, is made for the minimalists - just a shutter release and zoom rocker, stripped down to bare essentials.

In terms of ergonomics and tactile feedback, the G16 wins for versatility and precision, while the S5100 wins at the portability game.

Sensor Tech & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor size and technology underpin image quality more than any marketing slogan. The Canon G16 boasts a 1/1.7” BSI-CMOS sensor - a choice that stood out upon release. It offers a sensor surface area of approximately 41.5mm² and 12 megapixels resolution. By contrast, the Nikon S5100 employs a smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor (about 28mm²), also at 12MP, but its older CCD design is less sensitive and dynamic range is often limited.

My hands-on testing reinforced these specs: the Canon consistently delivered cleaner images at low ISO settings, revealing finer detail and more nuanced color depth thanks to the BSI architecture. The Nikon struggled in dimmer conditions; its max ISO of 1600 wasn’t very usable beyond ISO 800 due to noise and detail loss.

Measured DxOMark scores echo what I observed: the Canon earned a respectable overall score of 54 with exceptional color depth (21 bits) and dynamic range (11.7 EV), coupled with low-light sensitivity rated at ISO 230. The Nikon’s smaller, older sensor had no DxOMark rating but falls short by comparison - something I witnessed in night and indoor shoots.

For applications like landscape or portraits where tonal gradation and detail matter, the G16 offers a significant edge. The Nikon suffices for casual snapshots in good light but won’t satisfy deeper image quality demands.

Display & Viewfinder: Seeing is Believing

Both cameras come with fixed LCDs rather than tilting or touchscreens, common at their respective launch periods. The G16 has a 3-inch TFT PureColor II G LCD with 922k-dot resolution, offering a crisp, bright, and color-accurate preview of your shots. Contrast that with the Nikon’s smaller 2.7-inch screen, only 230k dots in resolution, and the difference becomes stark.

Viewing images on the G16 is truly a pleasure - the high-resolution screen reveals sharpness, shadows, and highlights faithfully, letting you judge exposure and focus with confidence on the spot. The S5100’s display feels dim and coarse in bright daylight, and finer details can escape notice until you offload photos.

One note: neither offer electronic viewfinders - just the Canon’s optical tunnel viewfinder which covers about 80% of the frame. For daylight shooting where LCDs wash out or you want more stability, this can be handy. Nikon left that feature out entirely, limiting composition options in bright sun.

Autofocus & Speed: Chasing the Action

Although both compact cameras target casual or enthusiast shooters without pro-level speed, the G16 clearly focuses on responsiveness. Its contrast-detection AF system includes nine focus points and supports face detection and tracking, with continuous AF options. Meanwhile, the Nikon S5100 sports a single contrast-detection AF (no tracking or face detection).

This difference makes a world of difference shooting moving subjects. When photographing kids or pets on the go, the G16’s AF locked swiftly and re-focused smoothly, rarely hunting excessively. The Nikon’s autofocus, on the other hand, sometimes lagged or hunted in moderate motion situations.

Burst rates underscore this divide: the Canon captures up to 12fps in continuous shooting, an impressive speed for a compact, while the Nikon doesn’t officially support burst modes beyond basic multi-shot functions.

For wildlife, sports, and street photography, the Canon’s AF system delivers a clear advantage - while the Nikon is best suited to static subjects or casual moments.

Zoom Lenses Compared: Focal Ranges and Aperture

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses with identical focal length ranges: approximately 28-140mm in 35mm terms, a versatile framing range from wide-angle to moderate telephoto suitable for everyday shooting.

However, aperture characteristics diverge considerably. The Canon lens is faster, opening wider at f/1.8 at the wide end to f/2.8 when zoomed in, allowing better low-light performance and creative shallow depth-of-field (bokeh) effects. The Nikon’s lens maxes out at f/2.7 wide and dramatically slows to f/6.6 telephoto - much less ideal for dim conditions or blurring backgrounds.

This wider aperture on the Canon especially benefits portraiture, macro, and general low-light shooting, giving images a natural subject isolation that the Nikon can’t replicate. Speaking of macro…

Macro Photography: Closer Looks with the Canon

The G16’s lens offers a superb macro focus range down to 1cm, letting you capture fine details of insects, flowers, and textures with impressive sharpness and color. Combined with the camera’s excellent hand-holding stabilization and accurate AF, it’s a joy for macro enthusiasts.

The Nikon’s macro minimum focus distance is 2cm - good for a compact but not quite as snappy or detailed as the G16’s performance. Plus, its narrower aperture limits background blur and light gathering when shooting very close.

Image Stabilization, Shutter Speeds & Exposure Control

Both cameras employ optical image stabilization to compensate for hand shake - an invaluable feature especially at telephoto or slow shutter speeds. The Canon’s system is effective and helps greatly when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths or in lower light.

The G16 offers more extensive exposure control than the Nikon, including shutter and aperture priority modes, full manual exposure, and exposure compensation. The Nikon’s exposure control is more limited - no manual modes and no exposure compensation - meaning less creative control for users wanting to fine-tune shots.

The Canon also features a shutter speed range from 15 seconds up to 1/4000s, permitting long exposures for night shots and fast shutter speeds to freeze action. The Nikon caps at 1/1500s with only 4 second max long exposure - restricting night/astro photography or creative slow shutter effects.

Video Performance: Moving Pictures Matter

While neither camera claims pro video credentials, the Canon G16 shoots Full HD 1080p at 60 or 30 fps using efficient MPEG-4/H.264 encoding, producing smooth clips with reasonable dynamic range.

The Nikon maxes out at 720p and uses the older Motion JPEG format, which results in larger files and less efficient compression. The Canon’s video quality visibly surpasses Nikon’s, with better detail, colors, and smoother frame rates.

Inputs for microphones or headphones are absent on both, so sound control remains limited. Neither features 4K or high-speed video modes, which is unsurprising given their vintage.

Battery Life, Storage & Connectivity

The Canon’s NB-10L battery offers about 360 shots per charge, higher than average in this compact segment and supporting longer shooting sessions. Nikon’s EN-EL10 battery ratings are unspecified but generally lower, with fewer shots per charge. Neither allows for external battery grips, a common limitation in compacts.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the Canon only offers one card slot compared to Nikon’s inclusion of internal memory alongside SD cards (though internal storage is small).

Importantly, the G16 includes built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer - a huge boon for on-the-fly sharing or remote camera control. The Nikon lacks any wireless connectivity, necessitating USB transfers.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized. The Canon’s build, however, is noticeably more robust and substantial, with higher quality materials and a more professional feel. The Nikon’s plastic body reflects its budget positioning, suitable for casual carry but less confidence inspiring in rough conditions.

Sample Shots to Put It All Together

I captured stills ranging from daylight street scenes to indoor portraits and shadow-heavy landscapes with both cameras. The Canon images exhibit crisper detail, richer color fidelity, and better dynamic range with highlight and shadow retention. Skin tones on portraits look natural and pleasing without oversaturation. The Nikon photos tend to feel softer and washed out - good enough for snapshots but lacking "that something" for enthusiast use.

Canon G16 front Canon G16 screen back Nikon S5100 front Nikon S5100 screen back

Final Performance Rating Summary

After spending ample time pushing both cameras through varied shooting environments, here are my rounded scores based on the factors critical to enthusiasts and semi-pros:

Canon PowerShot G16:

• Image Quality: 8/10
• Autofocus & Speed: 8.5/10
• Handling & Controls: 9/10
• Video Quality: 7/10
• Features & Connectivity: 8/10
• Portability: 6.5/10
• Value: 7.5/10

Nikon Coolpix S5100:

• Image Quality: 5.5/10
• Autofocus & Speed: 5/10
• Handling & Controls: 5/10
• Video Quality: 5/10
• Features & Connectivity: 4/10
• Portability: 9/10
• Value: 6/10

Who Wins in Each Photography Genre?

Navigating the different shooting disciplines helps clarify who should buy what.

Portraits: The Canon G16’s superior lens aperture, accurate face detection AF, and rendering make it the natural choice. Nikon’s limited control and weaker optics yield standard snapshots that lack pop.

Landscapes: Canon’s full manual controls, higher dynamic range, and better sensor produce richer, more detailed landscapes. Nikon’s smaller sensor struggles with detail and tone.

Wildlife: Faster AF and burst shooting on the Canon give it an edge despite telephoto limitations. Nikon lags behind, better off for static fauna or casual snapshots.

Sports: Canon delivers with tracking AF and quick continuous shooting. Nikon’s sluggish AF and no burst mode limit capabilities here.

Street: Nikon’s pocket-friendliness shines, appealing for those prioritizing portability and inconspicuous shooting. Canon is bulkier but faster to control and focus.

Macro: Again, Canon edges ahead with closer focusing and aperture control for creative close-ups.

Night & Astro: Canon’s higher max exposure time, better ISO performance, and raw support beat Nikon’s primitive offerings.

Video: Canon provides sharper HD video with better compression and frame rate flexibility.

Travel: Nikon’s smaller footprint and weight tempt travelers wanting ultra-light carry. Canon weighs more but provides greater versatility.

Professional Work: Canon’s file quality, controls, and connectivity favor professionals needing reliable, quality work. Nikon is more casual and consumer-focused.

Taking Account of Pricing & Value

Though both models are older, the Canon G16’s price around $499 at release places it in the enthusiast compact territory, commanding decent money for design and capabilities - still a worthwhile used buy for quality seekers. The Nikon S5100, priced at roughly $200 new back then, leans firmly at entry-level, emphasizing affordability and portability over advanced features.

While the Nikon impresses as a straightforward, lightweight camera, I’d caution serious enthusiasts and pros: you pay for what you get. The Canon G16 remains a more serious option in this segment, balanced well between pocketability and performance.

Wrapping Up: Which Should You Choose?

So, does the Canon PowerShot G16 justify its heft and higher price? Absolutely - if you want better image quality, creative control, faster autofocus, and video capabilities in a still compact package.

The Nikon Coolpix S5100 appeals mostly to absolute beginners or casual shooters prioritizing size and simplicity over image quality and control.

If you ask me: the Canon G16 is a compact that punches above its weight, a camera I happily used for portraits, travel, and even casual macro. The Nikon, while cute and pocket-friendly, feels more snapshot than tool for deliberate image-making.

Parting Shot of Advice

Use the Canon G16 if you want an all-around compact with pro-leaning features without lugging DSLRs or mirrorless rigs. For casual, daylight use where pocket size is king and image quality is “good enough,” consider the Nikon S5100.

Whichever route you pick, remember - the best camera is the one you enjoy shooting with, and that sparks your creativity day after day.

Happy shooting!

If you want to nerd out on my thorough camera testing protocols or more camera comparisons, just ask - after all, testing hundreds of cameras over many years teaches you that specs don’t tell the whole story.