Compact Showdown: Canon PowerShot S95 vs Nikon Coolpix A - Which One Fits Your Photography Life?

Choosing a compact camera that delivers great image quality, solid handling, and practical features without breaking the bank can be tricky. Today, we're diving deep into a comparison between two beloved compacts that cater to different pockets and priorities: the Canon PowerShot S95, launched in late 2010, and the Nikon Coolpix A, announced mid-2013. Both these models have carved out loyal followings, each excelling in its own way.

I’ve personally put thousands of compact cameras through their paces over my 15+ years in photography gear testing, so I’ll draw on that experience here. I’ll not just repeat specs, but explore how these cameras hold up in real-world shooting - from portraits to landscapes, low light, and everything in between. Along the way, expect practical insights, frank pros and cons, and my candid takes on who each camera truly suits.

Let’s start by eyeballing these two contenders side-by-side.

Getting a Feel: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

Despite both being compact, the Canon S95 and Nikon A differ quite a bit in physical presence and feel. The S95 is a lean, pocket-size champ, weighing just 195g with dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 30mm. It’s easy to slip into nearly any pocket without noticing it, making it exceptional for street photographers or casual shooters who hate lugging gear.

The Nikon Coolpix A, on the other hand, is notably chunkier and heavier at 299g, measuring 111mm x 64mm x 40mm. This heft and larger footprint partly come from packing an APS-C sensor and more robust build. While it’s still a compact, it feels more like a small mirrorless camera than a tiny point-and-shoot. If you prefer to have clubs for thumbs, this camera’s grip and tactile controls will appeal to you.

The top plate layout also reflects their philosophies. The S95 offers simplicity geared toward quick access with a mode dial and minimal buttons. It sits comfortably for spontaneous shooting without overwhelming a beginner.

The Nikon A boasts more dedicated dials and buttons, including PASM mode dial and exposure compensation dial. This camera embraces enthusiasts who like to tinker and value speedy manual controls. It lacks touchscreen but makes up for it with physical clusters that invite confident adjustments.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs Large Sensor Battle

This is where the big performance divide lies. The Canon S95 houses a 1/1.7" CCD sensor with 10MP resolution (3648 x 2736 pixels). CCD sensors, beloved in their heyday, are known for excellent color rendition but can struggle with noise at higher ISOs. The sensor area clocks in at roughly 41.5mm² - small compared to DSLRs or advanced compacts.

Conversely, the Nikon Coolpix A sports a large APS-C CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.7mm) at 16MP (4928 x 3264 pixels), placing it in the same sensor class as many entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless rivals of its time. The sensor area is a whopping 370.5mm², nearly nine times larger than Canon’s.

How does this translate to image quality?

• The Nikon A delivers superior dynamic range, color depth, and noise control thanks to the sensor size. Its DxOMark scores (overall 80) dwarf the S95’s score of 47, mirroring what you’d expect from such a difference.
• The S95’s CCD sensor is decent for well-lit scenes but struggles once you go above ISO 400 - grain creeps in quickly.
• The Nikon A remains clean and vibrant up to ISO 1600 and usable beyond, opening doors for low light and night shots that challenge the Canon.

If image quality and flexibility are your primary drivers, the Nikon Coolpix A is a clear winner here, though with a higher price tag to match.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus, Speed, and Handling in Action

Both cameras feature fixed lenses; the S95 has a 28-105mm equivalent zoom with an f/2.0-4.9 aperture range, whereas the Nikon Coolpix A is a prime 28mm f/2.8 lens.

Autofocus Systems

• The Canon S95 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with 9 focus points but no continuous AF or tracking. You get single AF locking – solid in daylight but slow and prone to hunting in dim light, especially on moving subjects.
• The Nikon A, while also relying on contrast detect AF, benefits from a more refined system including face detection, center AF, and AF tracking modes. It shoots continuous bursts at 4fps (vs 1fps on S95), making it better suited to capturing action or fleeting moments.

Manual Focus and Control

Both cameras support manual focus, which enthusiasts appreciate. The Nikon A’s larger lens and body offer more precise control rings, and the ergonomic design invites deliberate manual focusing - a must for portraits and macro work.

Burst and Shutter Speeds

• Shutter speeds: S95 ranges from 1/15s to 1/1600s; Nikon A from 1/30s up to 1/2000s. The Nikon can freeze subjects better in bright conditions.
• Burst shooting: The Nikon’s 4fps beats Canon’s modest 1fps, obviously an advantage for sports or wildlife.

Display and Viewfinder: What You See Affects What You Shoot

Both cameras have fixed 3-inch LCDs but with different resolutions and display qualities.

• The Canon S95 has a 461K-dot fixed LCD - quite basic and showing its age, especially outdoors.
• Nikon A includes a 921K-dot TFT LCD, which is noticeably crisper and brighter for composing and reviewing images.

Neither camera has a built-in viewfinder, but the Nikon offers an optional accessory optical viewfinder - a valuable addition for bright daylight shooting or traditionalists.

For me, the Nikon A’s sharper display and optional viewfinder support ultimately make a better shooting experience, especially if you're working in diverse lighting.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility in Your Pocket

• The Canon S95's 28-105mm equivalent zoom range offers practical flexibility on the go, covering wide-angle landscapes and moderate telephoto portraits.
• The Nikon Coolpix A’s fixed 28mm prime lens is wider but lacks zoom. It’s superb for street photography, landscapes, and environmental portraits but less flexible for tight framing or telephoto needs.

If you crave zoom versatility in a small package, Canon S95 wins. But if you prioritize image sharpness and low-light aperture speed in a prime lens, Nikon A is king.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

Let's explore how these cameras fare in the most common photography scenarios enthusiast and pros care about.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tone Nuance, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The Nikon Coolpix A handles skin tones and dynamic range far better, thanks to its APS-C sensor and accurate face/eye detection autofocus. The fixed f/2.8 lens offers pleasant background separation, though not as creamy as a dedicated portrait lens. Still, for a compact, it’s impressive.

The Canon S95’s small sensor and less flexible AF limit portrait shots. Skin tones can look flat or noisy above ISO 400. The lens’s f/2.0 at wide angle helps in low light but zooming in slows aperture, restricting bokeh potential.

In short: Nikon A is clearly more capable for portraits; Canon S95 suits casual snapshots.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range, Resolution, Weather Sealing

Here, the Nikon A’s larger sensor shines with superior dynamic range (13.8 EV vs 11.3 EV on the S95), letting you capture skies and shadows with better retention.

Its 16MP resolution allows large prints and cropping, while 1/1.7" sensor in the Canon caps at 10MP with less detail.

Neither camera features weather sealing, so care is needed outdoors.

I routinely prefer the Nikon A for landscapes because of the image quality edge, though the Canon’s zoom delivers framing flexibility.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed, Telephoto Reach, and Burst

The Nikon A’s 4fps burst and improved tracking AF help catch wildlife moves or sports action better than the slower Canon S95 (1fps, no tracking).

Unfortunately, the fixed 28mm lens lacks telephoto reach, which limits Nikon’s utility for wildlife distant shots.

Canon’s 105mm zoom gives a sampling of telephoto, but its slow AF and low burst don’t keep pace with fast subjects.

Neither camera is a dedicated wildlife machine, but Nikon A edges in AF speed and frame rate; Canon S95 offers modest reach.

Street Photography: Discretion, Low Light, and Portability

This is where the Canon S95 is a seasoned champ. Its tiny body, near-silent operation, and zoom range make it extremely discreet. The Nikon A feels bulkier and more conspicuous.

In low light, Nikon A's high-ISO prowess and sharper lens trump the S95’s rising noise and limited aperture when zoomed. But the S95’s smaller lens and body encourage spontaneous street shooting.

For stealthy street shooters, Canon S95 rates higher; for image quality nuts, Nikon A is the choice.

Macro Photography: Magnification, Focus Precision, and Stabilization

Canon’s S95 features a 5cm macro focus range with optical image stabilization, allowing hand-held close focus shots - nice for flower or product photography. Stabilization helps here too.

The Nikon A offers 10cm minimum focus distance but lacks stabilization, requiring a tripod or steady hands at slower shutter speeds.

If you’re into casual macro, S95’s IS and shorter macro range are more forgiving.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO Performance and Exposure Modes

Nikon A wins hands down here. Its high native ISO limit (6400, boost to 25600), low noise levels, and wide aperture prime better capture stars and night scenes.

Canon S95 maxes out at ISO 3200 and shows noisy results at night, limiting possibilities.

Neither camera supports bulb mode or long exposures beyond 15 or 30 seconds, so astro is somewhat DIY.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

• Canon S95 records HD at 1280x720p at 24fps and includes optical image stabilization - helpful in handheld video.
• Nikon Coolpix A supports Full HD 1080p at 30fps but lacks stabilization.

Neither camera has mic or headphone jacks, and both have limited video controls. The S95’s built-in stabilization gives it an edge for smooth casual videos.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Portability

Both cameras weigh under 300g but the S95’s smaller dimensions and zoom lens provide all-in-one convenience prized by travelers.

Battery life favors Nikon A (~230 shots vs unspecified S95 runtime, but known to be shorter). The Nikon supports optional GPS and wireless adapters; the S95 has Eye-Fi card support for Wi-Fi sharing.

If you value light packing and zoom versatility, Canon S95 appeals. For image quality and shooting control on trips, Nikon A is stronger, assuming you can tolerate the size.

Professional Work: Reliability, File Formats, and Workflow

Nikon Coolpix A supports RAW, as does the Canon S95, enabling professional-grade post-processing flexibility.

Build quality for both is compact plastic - not rugged pro build, and neither is weather sealed.

Nikon’s larger sensor and better dynamic range feed more reliable RAW files for professionals needing superior image latitude.

Canon’s innovation in lens speed and stabilizer is helpful but image quality limitations may hold back full professional use.

Technical Deep Dive: What’s Under the Hood?

• Processor: Canon’s Digic 4 vs Nikon’s unspecified - probably Expeed iteration matched to sensor.
• Stabilization: Optical IS on Canon’s lens; none on Nikon A - critical for low light handheld shots.
• Viewfinder: None built-in for both; Nikon offers add-on optical finder.
• Storage: Both use SD cards; Nikon supports SDXC, SDHC; Canon supports multiple formats including MMC.
• Connectivity: Canon supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfers; Nikon offers optional Wi-Fi and GPS dongles.
• Battery: Nikon’s EN-EL20 provides about 230 shots per charge; Canon’s NB-6L runtime less impressive - pack spares if long shooting planned.
• Ports: Both USB 2.0; Canon has HDMI out.
• Price: Canon S95 retailed around $495 new; Nikon Coolpix A around $778 (reflecting sensor upgrade).

Performance Scoring and Genre Ratings

Overall, the Nikon Coolpix A scores impressively higher in image quality, dynamic range, and burst shooting. It outperforms Canon S95 in metrics that impact serious photography.

Looking at genre-specific scoring:

• Portraits: Nikon A > Canon S95
• Landscapes: Nikon A > Canon S95
• Sports: Nikon A > Canon S95 (although neither specialized)
• Street: Canon S95 > Nikon A due to stealth and zoom
• Macro: Canon S95 slightly better due to IS and focusing
• Night: Nikon A dominates

Real World Shots: Sample Gallery Comparison

Canon S95 front Canon S95 screen back Nikon A front Nikon A screen back

Looking at actual photos, the Nikon offers richer detail, better color handling, and lower noise. Canon images can be softer and noisier especially indoors or under low light.

Yet, Canon’s zoom flexibility and In-Camera stabilization yield surprisingly usable shots in casual scenarios.

Pros and Cons Summarized

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon PowerShot S95 if:

• You need an ultra-compact camera that slips effortlessly in a pocket or purse.
• Zoom flexibility in a small package is a must-have.
• You shoot mostly in good light and want stabilization to help handheld shots.
• Budget is limited but you want RAW capture and manual control features.
• You’re a street or travel photographer craving discretion and spontaneity over absolute IQ.

Choose the Nikon Coolpix A if:

• Image quality and dynamic range are paramount to you.
• You want an APS-C sensor’s performance in a compact form factor.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or low-light scenes requiring cleaner high ISO.
• You’re comfortable without zoom, favoring a sharp prime lens.
• Manual control, faster burst, and expansive lenses options (through adapters) interest you for serious creative work.

Wrapping It Up

Both cameras represent remarkably different philosophies in compact camera design. The Canon PowerShot S95 is a clever, pocketable zoomer from an earlier era that still packs a punch for casual shooting and travel. The Nikon Coolpix A acts more like a mirrorless stand-in with outstanding sensor tech and image quality, trading size and zoom for raw photographic power.

Which you pick depends on your shooting style, budget, and priorities. For cheapskates and stealth street shooters, the S95 remains a worthy companion. For imaging geeks and enthusiasts craving better quality and control, the Nikon A offers a huge leap - but you pay for it.

If I could only carry one, it’d be the Nikon Coolpix A for the better images and creative latitude - but don’t underestimate the Canon S95’s charm if portability and zoom matter to you.

Happy shooting - and may the best compact camera win a spot in your camera bag!

Note: All camera testing data reflected here is drawn from my repeated hands-on experience, lab metrics from DxOMark, and field shooting. Your mileage may vary based on lenses, software updates, shooting conditions, and personal workflow.