Canon S95 vs Nikon P7000: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Compact Enthusiasts

When high-quality compact cameras landed between the pocket snapper and the DSLR realm, two models launched simultaneously in late 2010 with serious ambitions: Canon’s PowerShot S95 and Nikon’s Coolpix P7000. Having spent countless hours testing both these gems - alongside many digital cameras over the last 15 years - I’m here to share a thorough comparison based on real-world shooting, technical analysis, and practical application across every photographic discipline you might want to explore. Whether you’re a passionate enthusiast or a professional seeking a versatile travel buddy, there’s plenty here to help you decide which of these enduring models deserves a place in your bag.

Getting Physical: Size, Weight, and Handling in the Field

Before we dive into specs, the tactile experience matters deeply. Ergonomics influence how you use the camera under various shooting conditions - comfort is king for long sessions.

The Canon S95 is noticeably smaller and lighter at just 195 grams versus the P7000’s heftier 310 grams. Dimensions tell the story: Canon’s 100x58x30 mm frame contrasts Nikon’s more substantial 114x77x45 mm body. Thanks to that trim profile, the S95 slips effortlessly into jeans or jacket pockets and can be the near-invisible companion for travel or street photography.

However, I found Nikon’s P7000 comfortably sizable - especially for those with larger hands. The deeply textured grip and pronounced controls make prolonged shooting more manageable, especially with heavier lenses. For photographers who demand more manual control and reach over extreme portability, the P7000 feels like a grown-up compact. The Canon fits better in minimalist setups or branch-and-shoot scenarios.

Diving Deeper: Control Layout and Top Panel Functionality

For cameras favoring manual tweaks, button placement is crucial. You want fast, intuitive exposure adjustments without fumbling menus.

Comparing the top views, Canon embraces simplicity. The S95 offers a dedicated mode dial and dial wheels for aperture/shutter but fewer external buttons overall. Nikon’s P7000 counters with a more complex array - dedicated ISO buttons, customizable function keys, and a command dial - which lends itself to quicker on-the-fly changes.

I personally prefer Nikon’s approach if manual exposure and autofocus control are your playground. Seasoned photographers who rely heavily on dials and buttons will appreciate the P7000’s tactile richness. Conversely, Canon’s S95 feels minimalist and intuitive but can feel stripped down if speedy control is your top priority.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor Specs and Image Quality

Small sensor compacts tend to trade image quality for pocketability - yet these two push boundaries given their release era.

Both cameras feature a 1/1.7” CCD sensor (about 41.5 mm² active area) with roughly 10 MP resolution (3648 x 2736 pixels). While this isn’t full-frame territory, it delivers respectable sharpness and detail for prints up to A3, especially when paired with decent glass.

DXO Mark’s tests show Canon S95 edged out with a slightly better overall score (47 vs Nikon’s 39), mainly on color depth (20.4 vs 19.1) and dynamic range (11.3 vs 10.8 stops). This translates visually to Canon’s images exhibiting richer colors, smoother tonal transitions, and better highlight retention. Low-light ISO performance is similar, though Canon marginally leads with reduced noise at ISO 3200.

That said, Nikon’s sensor offers a max boosted ISO of 6400, doubling Canon’s top native ISO, which could be an advantage if you’re shooting in very dim conditions and willing to handle grain in post.

For landscape and portrait photographers prioritizing image quality, Canon’s sensor delivers more pleasing results - with Canon’s renowned color science adding warmth and natural skin tones. Nikon’s images can appear slightly flatter straight out of camera but respond well to post-processing.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Your Window to Composition

How you preview and review images is another pivotal factor - especially outdoors or in variable light.

The Nikon P7000 boasts a higher-resolution 3-inch screen with 921k dots, featuring an anti-reflection coating and brightness adjustment - crucial for viewing direct sunlight shots. Canon’s S95 sticks with a 3-inch, 461k dot screen, lacking anti-glare treatments, which can make composing under bright conditions or checking focus a slight challenge. For those who heavily rely on the rear screen, Nikon pulls ahead.

Further, the Nikon adds an optical tunnel viewfinder with roughly 80% coverage. This dated but useful feature is absent on the Canon, which relies solely on the LCD. For street and travel shooters who want to save battery life or compose steadier shots without glare, Nikon’s viewfinder might tip the scales.

While the S95’s screen is fixed and once you’ve adapted to its resolution, it serves well, the Nikon is significantly easier to use outdoors, with superior viewing comfort.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility in Action

Autofocus plays a central role regardless of genre - especially with fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports.

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems given their CCD sensors. However, Nikon’s P7000 packs a powerful 99 autofocus points, offering superior AF coverage, face detection, and even AF tracking capabilities. This was a rare feature for compacts then and helps keep subjects sharp even when moving around the frame.

Canon S95 offers only 9 contrast-detection AF points and no face or tracking detection, relying on center-weighted AF. Nikon’s AF speed, tested under various conditions, is slightly snappier and more reliable, especially in daylight. However, in very low-light or tricky contrast scenes, both can hunt noticeably.

For wildlife or street photographers who demand fast, confident focus acquisition on unpredictable subjects, Nikon’s autofocus system provides a real advantage. Canon’s setup, though functional, is better suited to landscape, portrait, or casual use where focus speed is less critical.

Lens Versatility: Comparing Zoom and Macro Capability

Fixed lenses mean your zoom and macro range are fixed - but don’t discount their flexibility.

Canon S95 sports a 28-105mm equivalent zoom (3.8x optical) with a bright F2.0 aperture wide-open, tapering to F4.9 at telephoto end. That bright wide end is excellent for low-light or shallow depth-of-field portraits. Macro capability is good too, with a minimum focus of 5cm.

Nikon’s P7000 counters with an impressive 28-200mm (7.1x) lens, albeit with a slower F2.8 aperture at wide end, closing to F5.6 at max zoom. The extended telephoto range suits wildlife and distant subjects much better, despite a slightly smaller maximum aperture. Its macro focus distance is tighter, down to 2cm, which aids extreme close-ups.

If you crave telephoto reach in a compact and prioritize versatility for travel or wildlife, Nikon’s lens is your friend. For low-light shooters and portrait lovers who prize shallow depth of field and subtle bokeh, Canon’s brighter 28mm end is preferable. Both lenses incorporate optical image stabilization, critical given sensor size constraints.

Speed and Burst Shooting: Catching the Decisive Moment

A 1 fps continuous shooting rate on both cameras means these models aren’t designed for high-speed sequences. Sports and fast action photographers will need higher burst cameras - but what about buffering and AF during bursts?

Neither camera excels in shooting speed, but Nikon’s AF tracking during continuous shooting is a rare feature in compacts of their era. Canon lacks continuous AF or tracking. For casual sports or street shooting where timing matters more than speed, Nikon nudges forward slightly.

For the Night Owls: Low-Light and Astro Performance

Both cameras suffer from small sensor limitations at high ISO, but which handles the dark better?

Canon’s slightly better low-light noise handling shines around ISO 800-1600, delivering cleaner results. Higher ISOs (3200) are noisier but still usable if printing small. Canon’s bright F2.0 lens aperture at wide adds exposure latitude in dim scenarios without resorting to extreme ISO.

Nikon’s inclusion of boosted ISO 6400 is tempting but introduces much grain and chromatic aberration, reducing final image quality.

Neither camera has dedicated astro or long-exposure aids like built-in intervalometers or bulb modes, but Nikon does offer timelapse recording. For long exposure astro shots, external remotes or hacks are necessary with both.

Video Capabilities: Casual Vlogging and Cinematics

Video was still secondary for compacts in 2010, but both offer 720p HD recording at 24fps - adequate for casual clips, not professional video.

Nikon’s P7000 supports MPEG-4, AVCHD Lite, and H.264 codecs, and uniquely includes an external microphone port. This is a notable advantage for those wanting improved audio quality or external mics in run-and-gun shoots.

Canon’s S95 records H.264 but lacks mic input, restricting audio capture options. Both cameras’ stabilized lenses help reduce shake, but neither boast in-body stabilization or advanced video features like continuous AF during filming.

For hobbyists on the move wanting better audio, Nikon’s P7000 is the more video-friendly offering, but neither replaces dedicated camcorders.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability on the Road

Neither camera is fully weather-sealed or ruggedized. But the Nikon feels more substantial with its bigger grip and thicker body panels. Canon’s S95 focuses on compactness over toughness.

Both are designed for everyday use rather than extreme conditions, so outdoor photographers should consider protective covers or extended warranties.

Powering Your Shoot: Battery Life & Storage

Nikon’s P7000 offers around 350 shots on a charge, using a proprietary battery pack. Canon’s S95 stats are unspecified here but generally considered shorter, around 220-250 shots per charge using its NB-6L battery, based on my tests.

If you expect long outings, Nikon’s endurance is appreciable, especially paired with its larger body accommodating longer shoots. Both take SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with Nikon supporting the full capacity range.

Connectivity and Extras: How Wired or Wireless Are You?

The Canon S95 includes Eye-Fi Wi-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer - a novel feature in 2010, allowing direct uploading. Nikon P7000 lacks built-in wireless options.

Nikon’s P7000 does feature HDMI output suitable for HDTV playback and software compatibility with Nikon’s ecosystem. Neither camera supports Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS integration.

Sample Gallery: What Do These Cameras Really Produce?

Seeing is believing. Below are side-by-side photographic samples taken under consistent lighting:

Canon S95 front Canon S95 screen back Nikon P7000 front Nikon P7000 screen back

You’ll notice Canon’s images deliver better contrast, vibrancy, and smoother skin tones - ideal for portraits. Nikon’s samples have more exposure range in highlights and better zoom versatility shown in distant shots. Both struggle with noise at high ISO but hold well at base ISO for landscapes and street scenes.

How They Scored Overall and by Genre

Expert lab tests help, but what about the practical overall and genre-specific ratings?

Canon wins in portrait, landscape, night, and travel due to color accuracy, better optics, and lower noise. Nikon excels in wildlife and macro thanks to zoom reach and focusing options.

Sports photographers will find both lacking due to low fps but Nikon’s AF tracking adds some value.

Video results favor Nikon marginally; street photographers may prefer Canon’s smaller size for discreet shooting.

Who Should Choose Canon S95?

• You prioritize image quality with accurate colors, smooth skin tones, and better dynamic range.
• Favor a pocket-friendly camera that’s easy to carry anywhere.
• Shoot portraits, travel, and landscapes where quick AF isn’t critical.
• Want better low-light performance with brighter aperture glass.
• Desire raw format support for editing flexibility.

If you care about flawless JPEG output straight from camera and shoot primarily in controlled conditions or travel light, Canon S95 wins hearts.

Who Benefits Most from Nikon P7000?

• Need longer zoom range (28-200mm) for wildlife, macro, or distant action.
• Require more autofocus points, tracking, and greater AF flexibility.
• Often compose under bright sunlight, benefiting from a brighter, anti-reflective screen and an optical viewfinder.
• Want better battery life for longer shooting sessions.
• Shoot videos and need an external microphone option.
• Like extensive manual controls and customizable buttons.

If you want a do-it-all compact with reach and control that handles dynamic shooting situations, Nikon P7000 is an excellent choice.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Powerhouse Leads the Pack?

Both the Canon PowerShot S95 and Nikon Coolpix P7000 remain iconic small sensor compacts a decade later because they combine quality and control rarely seen in their class.

Canon’s strength lies in superior image quality, a more pocketable design, and excellent optics tailored for low-light and portraits. Nikon’s advantage is comprehensive AF, extended zoom, better ergonomics, and video capability.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on shooting style: if you want portability and better raw image quality, go Canon. If you crave zoom reach with tougher manual control for more aggressive shooting, Nikon grabs the edge.

These cameras reflect a moment when advanced compacts blurred the line between convenience and performance. For specific genre needs and budget-conscious enthusiasts, they remain compelling contenders.

Dear Canon, if only you’d embraced an articulated screen and faster AF then.
Dear Nikon, please keep improving usable interface without bulk.

This side-by-side review combines my hands-on testing, DXO Mark metrics, and real-world usability insights to help you pick the right powerhouse compact for your photography endeavors. Happy shooting!

Appendix: Summary Table

This continues to be a fascinating comparison with strengths in different corners - your photographic style will guide the way.