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Nikon L810 vs Sony S950

Portability
74
Imaging
38
Features
38
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix L810 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Nikon L810
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 23-585mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 430g - 111 x 76 x 83mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Renewed by Nikon L820
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon L810 and Sony S950, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the L810 (16MP) and S950 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L810 was unveiled 2 years after the S950 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the L810 scores versus the S950 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L810 over the Sony S950

 L810 S950 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Nikon L810

 S950 L810 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Nikon L810 and Sony S950

 L810 S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L810 has got outer measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 83mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 430 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

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Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the L810 versus the S950.

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L810 and S950 is 74 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the L810 and S950.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon L810 to offer you more detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more recent L810 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L810 Portrait photography information
Sony S950 Portrait photography information
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
25
focusing manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L810 Street photography information
Sony S950 Street photography information
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L810 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S950 as a Sports photography camera
44
long zoom range (23-585mm 25.4 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.2 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L810 Travel photography information
Sony S950 Travel photography information
60
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (23mm)
long zoom (585mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L810 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
40
really wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
31
focusing manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L810 Vlogging details
Sony S950 Vlogging details
27
really wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
9
can't record video
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Nikon L810 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L810 and Sony S950
 Nikon Coolpix L810Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L810 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-01 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-585mm (25.4x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.2 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 430g (0.95 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 76 x 83mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures -
Battery format AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $280 $130