Canon PowerShot N vs Nikon Coolpix S5100: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras for Everyday Photographers

When it comes to compact point-and-shoot cameras, size, simplicity, and everyday versatility are paramount. Yet, even within this popular category, subtle differences in design, performance, and shooting capabilities can have a significant impact on the user experience. Today, I’m diving deep into two interesting contenders from notable brands: the Canon PowerShot N (hereafter Canon N), announced in early 2013, and the Nikon Coolpix S5100 (hereafter Nikon S5100), launched three years earlier in 2010. Both are small-sensor compacts aimed at casual photographers who want something pocketable yet capable beyond a smartphone.

Having spent hours testing and comparing these cameras across multiple shooting conditions and photography genres, I’ll share my firsthand impressions and detailed technical insights. Whether you’re pondering a budget-friendly compact or want a secondary “grab and go” camera, this thorough comparison will help you understand how these two stack up - and which one fits your photographic needs the best.

Pocket Powerhouses: Comparing Physical Size and Handling

Compact cameras must strike a balance between ergonomics and portability. Intuitively, smaller is better for everyday carry, but tight spaces often mean compromises in grip and control.

As shown above, the Canon N and the Nikon S5100 share a similar compactness ethos, but they manifest it differently. The Canon N's cuboid design is notably boxier - measuring roughly 79x60x29 mm and weighing 195 grams - resulting in a somewhat chunky feel for such a small sensor compact. That thickness allows for its innovative lens design and the signature rear tilting touchscreen.

The Nikon S5100 opts for a more traditional slimline shape, at 97x57x22 mm and 132 grams, it’s lighter and thinner. Its fixed-lens design is well integrated into a softly curved body, making it easier to slip into a pocket with less bulk.

Ergonomically, the Canon N’s size offers more secure grip surfaces, particularly for those with larger hands, despite the lack of protruding grips or hand straps. The Nikon S5100, while sleeker, feels slightly less comfortable to hold steady for extended periods - ideal for casual snapshots on the go.

Design and Control Layout: Simplicity Meets Smart Innovation

Button and dial layouts on compacts tend to be minimalist - and rightly so, to prevent overwhelm. However, the way manual controls and interfaces are designed can make or break the user experience.

Canon introduced some unconventional design choices with the PowerShot N. The top-only shutter button sits atop a virtually flush lens barrel, incorporating a novel two-step ring for zoom control around the shutter release. This was meant to streamline operation with a single hand but occasionally felt a little awkward, especially when shooting quickly.

The Nikon S5100 approaches controls with a more traditional scattered button layout on the rear, including a dedicated zoom rocker and mode dial alongside a four-way navigational pad. It feels reassuringly familiar to compact enthusiasts but may require some fiddling to navigate menus naturally.

Notably, the Canon N’s inclusion of a tilting PureColor II G touchscreen (2.8 inches, 461k dots) allows for a more direct, intuitive interaction - a relatively rare feature for compacts of its era. In contrast, the Nikon relies on a fixed, non-touch LCD with lower resolution (2.7 inches, 230k dots), which impacts ease of reviewing images and menu navigation.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality Foundations

Image quality in compact cameras centers around sensor size, technology, and resolution - an arena where both competitors share significant common ground but diverge in some key respects.

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor (approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm), typical for their class, but Canon uses a CMOS sensor while Nikon opts for an older CCD design.

The Canon N’s 12 MP CMOS sensor benefits from better noise handling and power efficiency. Coupled with Canon’s DIGIC 5 image processor, the result is generally cleaner images at higher ISOs and improved autofocus velocity - though this camera tops out at ISO 6400 for nominal sensitivity.

Meanwhile, the Nikon S5100’s 12 MP CCD sensor often delivers excellent color rendition and sharp detail in good lighting but lags behind in low-light noise control. Additionally, Nikon’s maximum native ISO is ISO 1600, limiting its ability to shoot in dim conditions without significant noise.

Canon’s slightly broader aspect ratio options (including 1:1 and 3:2 modes) and higher maximum resolution width (4000x2248 vs 4000x3000 with Nikon) present nuanced benefits depending on framing preferences.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Everyday Use

Despite being compact, autofocus performance remains a crucial user experience differentiator - especially in fast-paced or unpredictable shooting environments.

Both the Canon N and Nikon S5100 use contrast-detection autofocus systems typical for their category and time but differ markedly in responsiveness.

The Canon N’s DIGIC 5 processor accelerates AF performance noticeably; while not blazing fast compared to modern cameras, it’s more reliable locking focus, even in moderately low light or complex scenes. However, this model lacks any advanced AF features like face detection, eye AF, or continuous tracking, so relying on it for moving subjects is an acknowledged limitation.

The Nikon S5100 also uses contrast detection but with a slower Expeed C2 processor, resulting in a generally slower focus lock and occasional hunting in challenging light. It also does not feature face or eye detection capabilities.

Neither camera offers manual focus adjustments, restricting control for specialized photography like macro or creative focus stacking.

Lens Capabilities: Versatility vs Limits

For compact fixed-lens cameras, the lens is the heart of photographic potential. Here, they diverge meaningfully.

The Canon N boasts an 8x optical zoom lens ranging from 28mm wide-angle to 224mm telephoto equivalent with an aperture range of f/3.0 to f/5.9. This broad reach offers substantial framing flexibility for landscapes, portraits, and even some wildlife or sports shots - albeit at a slower aperture.

In contrast, the Nikon S5100 provides a 5x zoom from 28mm to 140mm with an aperture starting at a slightly brighter f/2.7 on the wide end, tapering to f/6.6 telephoto. The faster wide aperture means better control over depth of field in portraits and improved low-light performance for wide scenes.

Neither lens features optical image stabilization beyond standard optical IS (both cameras have it), though neither includes advanced modes like lens-based vibration reduction or hybrid stabilization found in more recent models.

Display and User Interface: Touch Convenience vs Basic Controls

The Canon N clearly prioritizes a modern interface with its tilting 2.8-inch touchscreen featuring 461k-dot resolution. This allows intuitive touch focus and shake-free framing from high or low angles, a boon for vloggers and creative compositions. The swivel design expands creative framing possibilities, one of its few standout features for content creators.

Meanwhile, the Nikon S5100 sticks to a fixed 2.7-inch LCD at 230k dots with traditional button navigation. While perfectly serviceable and clear enough in daylight, the lower resolution makes evaluating subtle in-camera image adjustments or video focus more challenging.

Neither camera boasts electronic viewfinders, a considerable drawback for bright daylight shooting when LCD visibility suffers.

Real-World Shooting: Performance Across Photographic Genres

I took both cameras through their paces in a wide range of photography disciplines to assess how their limitations and strengths translate into actual use.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand natural skin tones, pleasant bokeh, and reliable eye detection. With neither camera offering face or eye detection autofocus, the onus is on the user to compose carefully and confirm focus.

The Canon’s longer zoom range to 224mm telephoto helps isolate subjects with background blur, though the small sensor limits shallow depth of field. Its CMOS sensor renders consistent skin tones with moderate noise in indoor lighting.

The Nikon’s faster wide aperture (f/2.7) is advantageous for shallow depth effects at wide focal lengths, but the smaller zoom reach restricts subject framing variety.

Both produce fairly soft bokeh shapes, typical of compact fixed lenses, though Canon’s lens edges blur more naturally.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters crave resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing. Neither camera is weather sealed, limiting rugged field use.

Both have similar 12 MP sensors with modest dynamic range due to size, though the CMOS sensor in the Canon fares better in shadow recovery.

The Nikon S5100’s 4000x3000 max resolution offers a slight edge in pixel count for large prints, but I found Canon’s sensor interpolation and image processing produce images with less chromatic aberration and better sharpness overall.

The wide 28mm focal length on both is suitable for sweeping vistas.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres require fast autofocus, high burst rates, and telephoto reach.

The Canon N’s 8x zoom to 224mm and 2 fps continuous shooting offer some basic utility for casual wildlife. Autofocus is reasonable but not fast enough for quick-moving subjects.

The Nikon S5100’s slower AF, shorter zoom, and absence of continuous shooting modes limit its effectiveness for these applications.

Street Photography

For discreet street shooting, the Nikon S5100’s smaller size and lighter body give definite advantages in portability and candid ease.

Its quieter operation and fixed screen also contribute to low-observable use in public.

The Canon N’s retina-piercing touchscreen and boxy shape are less inconspicuous.

Macro Photography

The Canon boasts a remarkable 1cm minimum focusing distance enabling impressive shots for a compact.

The Nikon’s 2cm macro minimum distance is less close but still allows decent subjects.

Neither supports focus stacking or bracketing, limiting macro technique diversity.

Night and Astro Photography

Low light shooting hinges on high ISO performance and exposure control.

Canon’s maximum ISO 6400 outpaces Nikon’s 1600 but image noise quickly becomes intrusive.

Limited manual exposure modes on both hinder astrophotography, but Canon’s longer shutter speed max (15 sec vs Nikon’s 4 sec) gives it a practical edge.

Video Capabilities

Canon records Full HD (1920x1080) at 24fps with H.264 compression, supporting slow-motion at lower resolutions.

The Nikon maxes at 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG, an older format with larger files and lower quality.

Neither offers external mic inputs or headphone jacks.

Canon’s touchscreen helps with manual focus pull and framing during video.

Travel Photography

Considering versatility, size, battery life, and storage:

• Canon N’s heavier build and shorter battery life (200 shots vs Nikon’s unspecified but generally longer) reduce travel convenience.

• Canon’s versatile lens range and GPS (optional) provide benefits for diverse travel conditions.

• Nikon’s lighter body and standard SD card slots (vs microSD for Canon) ease extended use.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Their fixed lens design and limited manual controls restrict serious professional use.

Their USB 2.0 connectivity suits casual image transfers but is outpaced by modern tethering standards.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

Both cameras are entry-level compacts without weather sealing or rugged construction.

Canon’s sturdier body and slightly heavier build feel more solid but lack any shock or splash protection.

The Nikon’s lightweight design prioritizes portability over durability.

Battery life is a weak point for both - Canon’s official figure of 200 shots per charge is modest; Nikon lacks official numbers but generally offers around 250 shots per charge with EN-EL10 battery. Neither supports USB charging or battery grips.

Connectivity and Storage

Canon N shines with built-in Wi-Fi for instant sharing and remote control, a feature missing on the Nikon.

Nikon uses standard SD/SDHC cards while Canon uses microSD cards, which can be slightly less common and more expensive.

Neither camera offers GPS by default, though Canon supports optional GPS units.

Price-to-Performance Evaluation

At launch, the Canon N retailed around $299, while the Nikon S5100 was priced around $199 - reflecting their generation gap and differing feature sets.

Given the enhancements the Canon offers - touchscreen, HD video, Wi-Fi, superior zoom range - the $100 premium is justifiable for users valuing these capabilities.

Budget-conscious buyers strictly interested in casual snapshots may find better value in the Nikon S5100 due to its lighter design and adequate imaging quality in daylight.

Canon N front Canon N screen back Nikon S5100 front Nikon S5100 screen back

Above are representative sample images from both cameras under similar conditions - note Canon’s better noise control at ISO 800 and smoother bokeh, while Nikon’s colors appear more vibrant under bright daylight.

Overall Performance and Ratings Summary

Our side-by-side performance evaluation awards the Canon PowerShot N higher marks overall, based on:

• Image quality (low light, dynamic range)
• Versatility (zoom range, touchscreen interface)
• Video recording quality

Nikon S5100 scores commendably on portability and ease of use but shows its age in image processing and limited features.

Genre-Specific Performance Insights

• Portraits: Canon N slightly favored due to zoom and sensor tech
• Landscapes: Tie, with Nikon’s megapixels vs Canon’s dynamic range
• Wildlife/Sports: Canon N leads thanks to longer zoom
• Street: Nikon preferred for size and quietness
• Macro: Canon N’s closer focus wins
• Night/Astro: Canon significantly better with ISO and shutter options
• Video: Canon far superior in resolution and codecs
• Travel: Nikon edges out on size, Canon on features
• Professional: Neither ideal, but Canon’s Wi-Fi is a plus for casual pros

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

If you seek an affordable, pocket-friendly camera merely to document memories in bright, stable lighting with minimal fuss, the Nikon Coolpix S5100 remains a solid, reliable choice. Its lightweight design and decent optical quality serve casual snapshots well, without complexity.

However, if you want a more forward-thinking compact offering better image quality in varied conditions, versatile zoom and framing, and enhanced video/audio options, the Canon PowerShot N is worth the price premium. Its touchscreen interface and Wi-Fi capabilities, despite some design quirks, are precursors to the connectivity and creative controls now standard in modern compacts.

Final Thoughts: Hands-on Insights From Testing

Having spent many shooting hours testing both cameras side by side, I’m impressed by how the Canon PowerShot N defies expectations for a compact camera from 2013 with its innovative controls and image processing power. Yes, it’s a bit boxy and occasionally quirky to handle, but for photographers craving a neat package with expanded shooting options beyond the basics, it remains an intriguing choice.

The Nikon S5100, by contrast, feels very much a time capsule from 2010 - trustworthy, straightforward, and uncomplicated but showing its limits against today’s imaging demands.

Your decision hinges on evaluating what’s most important: size and simplicity or expanded creative potential and slightly better quality. I recommend giving each a real-world test if possible, but equipped with this knowledge, you’re well positioned to make an informed, confident purchase that aligns with your photographic ambitions.

For further reading, check our detailed reviews and sample galleries linked below to explore specific use cases in more depth or consult our camera selection guide to identify alternatives better optimized for demanding photography genres.