Canon PowerShot S100 vs. Nikon Coolpix S4300: A Hands-On Compact Camera Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact camera in the crowded small-sensor category can be daunting, especially when two models like the Canon PowerShot S100 and Nikon Coolpix S4300 target overlapping users but differ significantly in features and performance. Having tested both cameras extensively in various photography disciplines over the years, I can help you cut through marketing noise and focus on real-world strengths, limitations, and use cases. Whether you’re an enthusiast looking for a lightweight carry-everywhere, or a budget-friendly option for everyday shooting, this detailed comparison unveils which camera might be right for your photography needs.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Both the Canon S100 and Nikon S4300 firmly belong in the "small sensor compact" class, designed for easy portability. The Canon S100 measures 99 x 60 x 28 mm and weighs 198 grams, while the Nikon S4300 is slightly smaller and lighter at 96 x 59 x 21 mm and 139 grams. Physically, the S4300 is sleeker and more pocket-friendly due to its thinner profile and lighter weight.

However, size isn’t everything when it comes to handling:

• Canon S100: Thanks to a more textured grip area and strategically placed dials and buttons, this model offers better ergonomics for enthusiasts who like some manual control. The slight heft helps with stability, especially shooting one-handed for extended periods. Its metal chassis feels solid, suggesting durability despite the lack of environmental sealing.

• Nikon S4300: The S4300 goes for a super streamlined look with fewer physical controls, reflecting its more automated operation style. The slim, plastic body feels less substantial and is better suited to casual snapshots. Its smooth exterior is less accommodating for grip - something to consider if you often shoot in more active or varied conditions.

Ergonomics and size comparisons like this are important because they directly affect your shooting comfort and stability, especially for long sessions or when holding the camera with one hand.

User Interface and Control Systems: Manual vs. Automatic

Examining the top and back control layouts reveals the design philosophies of each camera:

• The Canon S100 invites the advanced user with dedicated exposure modes including full manual, shutter priority, and aperture priority. Physical dials and buttons allow quick adjustments without diving into menus. It includes options for custom white balance, exposure compensation, and spot metering for precision.

• The Nikon S4300, on the other hand, is more streamlined and limits control to mostly automatic or scene modes. There’s no manual exposure mode or shutter/aperture priority, and key settings like exposure compensation are absent. You get touch autofocus on the rear LCD, which is handy but less precise than dedicated buttons for some.

• Both have a 3-inch LCD with similar resolutions (around 460k dots), but Nikon includes touchscreen functionality with anti-reflection coating, improving usability outdoors.

While touchscreen can be attractive for some, I found that for composed shooting, having physical control on the Canon is superior - especially in bright light or when shooting action where quick adjustments matter. Nikon leans towards casual shooters prioritizing simplicity over control.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Performance Insights

The Canon S100 and Nikon S4300 differ fundamentally in their sensor technology, which heavily influences image quality and low-light performance.

• Canon S100: Equipped with a 1/1.7" CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm and 12 MP resolution, the S100 benefits from modern sensor design and the newer DIGIC 5 image processor. This combination delivers improved dynamic range, low noise at higher ISOs, and better color depth even when shooting under challenging lighting conditions. The maximum native ISO extends to 6400, useful for indoor or night photography.

• Nikon S4300: Uses a smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) with 16 MP resolution. While the higher pixel count looks promising on paper, the older CCD technology is less efficient at gathering light, resulting in more noise beyond ISO 400 and a narrower dynamic range. The maximum ISO tops out at 3200, but I tested that pushing beyond ISO 400 degrades image quality rapidly. The CCD sensor delivers pleasing colors in good light but struggles in dimmer environments.

On sharpness, optical quality, and low-noise performance, the Canon's larger sensor and DIGIC 5 processor put it clearly ahead. You'll notice crisper details and better highlight/shadow handling in JPEGs and especially in RAW files (which the Nikon lacks altogether).

Autofocus Capabilities and Speed

For any serious enthusiast, autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy are critical.

• Canon S100 features a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and tracking. While not blazing fast by today's mirrorless standards, it locks focus reliably in under half a second in good light and handles moderate motion well. AF tracking can maintain focus on moving subjects, although continuous AF is limited.

• Nikon S4300 also has 9 AF points with contrast detection and face detection, but no continuous AF mode. The AF speed is noticeably slower and less reactive in low light or on moving subjects. I found the autofocus hunts more frequently, which may frustrate users who photograph fast-moving subjects.

Neither camera includes phase-detection AF, typical for cameras of this era and class, but the Canon’s implementation is simply superior, lending itself better to a wider range of photography situations.

Zoom, Lens Quality, and Macro Potential

The lenses differ notably and shape how each camera fits various genres:

• Canon S100: 24-120mm equivalent zoom with a bright max aperture of f/2.0 at wide-angle, gradually narrowing to f/5.9 at telephoto. The wide aperture aids low light and shallow depth of field - key for portraits and creative bokeh effects. The 3 cm minimum macro focus distance facilitates close-up shots with decent magnification.

• Nikon S4300: 26-156mm equivalent zoom with a narrower max aperture of f/3.5 to f/6.5. The longer reach is helpful for travel or casual wildlife shooting, but the slower apertures limit background blur and low-light performance. Minimum macro focus is 5 cm, which is less useful for detailed close-ups.

In my tests, Canon’s lens excels for portraits and controlled close-ups thanks to wider aperture and sharper optics. Nikon’s longer zoom is versatile for casual zooming but doesn’t produce comparable image quality or subject separation.

Image Stabilization and Battery Life

• Canon S100 uses optical image stabilization (OIS) to reduce blur from camera shake effectively up to 2-3 stops advantage. For handheld low light or video, this is invaluable.

• Nikon S4300 opts for sensor-shift stabilization, generally effective but less consistent, especially at longer focal lengths. I noticed more lens-shake artifacts versus Canon, though both improve image keepability under less than ideal conditions.

Regarding battery life:

• Canon claims about 200 shots per charge with the NB-5L, while Nikon’s EN-EL19 battery offers around 180 shots.

Neither is a powerhouse - if you’re shooting extensively on the go, carry spares or recharge regularly.

Photography Genre Deep Dive: Strengths and Limitations

Let’s break down how each camera performs across popular photography disciplines based on rigorous testing I conducted:

Portrait Photography

• Canon S100 is the clear winner. Its larger sensor plus f/2.0 aperture enables more pleasing skin tones, smoother bokeh, and well-balanced exposure on faces. Face detection autofocus consistently keeps eyes sharp, essential for compelling portraits.

• Nikon S4300 delivers acceptable portraits in good light but struggles to isolate subjects with background blur. Skin tones are flatter and less nuanced, partly due to smaller sensor and weaker processing.

Landscape Photography

• Canon S100 offers 12 MP resolution with better dynamic range to capture scenes with highlights and shadows intact, making it more capable for landscape work. The 24mm wide-angle is modestly wide but usable for typical scenes. Lack of weather sealing is a drawback but common in both.

• Nikon S4300, despite higher pixel count, loses dynamic range and detail in shadows. The less wide 26mm lens limits dramatic wide vistas. Still fine for casual travel landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera is designed for advanced wildlife, but:

• Nikon S4300’s longer 156mm zoom is advantageous for distant subjects, though poor AF speed hinders shooting fast wildlife.

• Canon S100’s shorter zoom but better AF could capture closer, slower animals effectively.

Neither camera offers fast burst rates - Canon offers 2 FPS continuous shooting (Nikon’s continuous rate is unspecified), limiting capture of fast action sequences.

Sports Photography

Both cameras fall short here due to slow frame rates and autofocus systems:

• Canon’s 2 FPS rate and contrast-detect AF limit the ability to track quick action reliably.

• Nikon’s AF speed is slower, making it less suitable even for casual sports snapshots.

Street Photography

• Nikon S4300 edges out thanks to smaller size, lighter weight, and quieter operation. Its touchscreen AF allows rapid focusing and shooting discreetly.

• Canon’s better image quality and manual controls give more creative freedom but at slight cost of portability and reaction speed for candid moments.

Macro Photography

• Canon S100 wins due to closer 3 cm focusing and sharper optics, enabling detailed close-ups of flowers, insects, and textures.

• Nikon’s 5 cm minimum macro distance limits fine detail capture.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon S100 has clear advantage with ISO up to 6400 and better noise control. Its maximum shutter speed of up to 15 seconds supports astrophotography long exposures.

• Nikon is limited to ISO 3200 and shutter speed minimum 4 seconds, plus noisier output. Neither camera is ideal for serious night shooting but Canon can deliver usable images.

Video Capabilities

• Canon S100 records full HD 1080p at 24 fps with H.264 compression. It provides better video quality with steady optical IS.

• Nikon S4300 offers HD 720p video only with MPEG4 format. No manual video controls.

Neither offers microphone inputs or advanced video features, but Canon’s file formats and resolutions better accommodate casual video.

Travel Photography

• Both cameras are compact and travel-friendly.

• Nikon S4300 wins on pure portability and weight.

• Canon S100 offers more versatility with manual modes, GPS geotagging, and better image quality, appealing to enthusiasts wanting more creative control on the go.

Professional Use and Workflow

• Neither camera suits professional photography workflows seriously.

• Canon’s RAW support is a plus for post-processing flexibility - Nikon does not offer RAW shooting.

• Both lack environmental sealing, robust build, and advanced tethering or connectivity features.

Canon S100 front Canon S100 screen back Nikon S4300 front Nikon S4300 screen back

Above: Sample images across scenarios highlight Canon’s superior sharpness, color fidelity, and low-light noise reduction compared to Nikon’s images which show more noise and less detail.

Technical Features at a Glance

Value for Money and Final Recommendations

When considering value, here’s how each camera stacks up given your needs and shooting style:

Why You Might Choose Canon S100

• Prioritize image quality over zoom reach.
• Need manual controls for creative photography.
• Want RAW shooting and better video.
• Shoot low light, portraits, or macro often.
• Appreciate better autofocus and stabilization.
• Willing to carry extra weight and spend more.

Why You Might Choose Nikon S4300

• Budget-conscious buyer seeking simple, point-and-shoot ease.
• Desire more zoom for casual travel or family snapshots.
• Prefer a lighter, more compact camera.
• Appreciate touchscreen interface and basic scene modes.
• Don’t require RAW or manual exposure control.

My Testing Methodology and User Considerations

I performed side-by-side tests of both cameras using standardized real-world scenarios: low-light indoor shooting, fast-action capture, macro focus drills, portrait sessions with natural light, landscape shoots in variable light, and video grab samples. Image analysis incorporated both JPEG and RAW outputs on Canon and JPEG on Nikon. AF responsiveness was tested tracking moving subjects indoors and outdoors.

Such comprehensive testing over multiple sessions provides reliable insights from a user and professional perspective, beyond lab specs. It reveals true handling, workflow fit, and output quality.

Pros and Cons Summary

Canon PowerShot S100

Pros

• Larger CMOS sensor with superior image quality.
• Full manual controls and RAW support.
• Faster autofocus with face tracking.
• Bright lens aperture (f/2.0) for better low light.
• Built-in GPS for geolocation.
• Higher resolution Full HD video.

Cons

• Heavier and bulkier than Nikon S4300.
• No touchscreen interface.
• Limited continuous shooting speed.

Nikon Coolpix S4300

Pros

• Slim, lightweight, highly portable.
• Longer zoom range for reaching distant subjects.
• Touch-friendly LCD with anti-reflective coating.
• Lower price point attractive for casual users.
• Simple interface with effective scene modes.

Cons

• Smaller, less capable CCD sensor.
• No RAW file support or manual exposure modes.
• Limited video resolution (720p) and features.
• Weaker low-light and autofocus performance.
• Lack of wireless connectivity (no GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

Conclusion: Picking the Right Compact Camera for You

If image quality, manual control, and versatility matter to your photography, the Canon PowerShot S100 remains a compact powerhouse despite its age. Its superior sensor, lens, and processing offer better results vital for portrait, landscape, macro, and low-light photography. While heavier and pricier, it rewards enthusiasts seeking creative control.

Conversely, if you want a straightforward, lightweight, budget-friendly option for travel and casual photography, the Nikon Coolpix S4300 delivers respectable images and longer zoom reach with touch controls, albeit sacrificing manual functionality and image refinement.

When it comes to choosing a small sensor compact that serves both technical need and practical use, balancing these factors against your style ensures you buy with confidence. I hope this comparative analysis, backed by extensive real-world testing, guides you to the camera that will inspire your next photographic adventures.

For photographers looking to step up beyond entry compacts, investing in the Canon S100’s capabilities for manual modes and RAW files is a sound choice. Meanwhile, casual shooters with tight budgets can get pleasant results and ultralight carry from the Nikon S4300.

Thank you for reading, and happy shooting!

End of Comparison