Nikon Coolpix P100 vs Nikon Coolpix S8200: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right superzoom compact camera can be challenging. You want excellent zoom reach, good image quality, reliable handling, and features that suit your photography style. Today, we put two Nikon superzoom cameras head-to-head: the Nikon Coolpix P100 and the Nikon Coolpix S8200. Both are popular models from Nikon’s small-sensor bridge and compact lines, with distinct characteristics and performance targets.

In this hands-on review, we’ll explore every major angle - from sensor technology and autofocus to real-world photography disciplines. Whether you’re an enthusiast exploring travel or wildlife photography or a pro looking for a pocket-friendly backup, you’ll discover which camera aligns with your creative ambitions.

First Impressions: Design and Ergonomics Matter

When you pick up a camera, the physical feel is crucial. It shapes your comfort, confidence, and shooting speed, especially for longer sessions.

Body Types and Sizes

The P100 offers a substantial handgrip and a raised viewfinder hump giving it a DSLR-like appearance which is beneficial for steady shooting. The electronic viewfinder is a significant advantage in bright light and controlled framing. This size is ideal for photographers who prefer deliberate composition and manual control.

The S8200 is markedly smaller and lighter, optimized for portability and grab-and-go convenience. Its slender body fits easily in your pocket or bag but lacks a dedicated viewfinder. The brighter, higher-resolution screen is fixed but has anti-reflection coating for better outdoor visibility.

Control Layout and Usability

The P100’s more extensive control set includes manual exposure modes, shutter priority, aperture priority, exposure compensation, and custom white balance. These are invaluable for learning and creative control. The physical dials and buttons follow a traditional DSLR pattern aiding intuitive use.

The S8200 trades some manual controls, lacking shutter or aperture priority and full manual exposure modes. Instead, it emphasizes ease of use and touch-enabled AF. The autofocus system incorporates face detection, beneficial for casual portraits without extensive camera knowledge.

Exploring the Core: Sensor, Image Quality, and Processing

Image quality comes down primarily to sensor size, resolution, and image processing. Both cameras share a small 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, typical for superzoom compacts, but with notable resolution differences.

Both utilize Nikon’s EXPEED C2 processor, delivering respectable image processing speed and noise control. However, the P100’s lower 10MP count means slightly larger pixels, which can translate into better noise control and dynamic range at low to medium ISOs.

The S8200’s 16MP sensor provides higher resolution but can introduce slightly more noise in low light, a typical tradeoff with small sensor cameras. Absent raw support on both cameras limits flexibility in post-processing, making JPEG quality crucial.

Looking Through the Lens: Zoom and Aperture Performance

One area where these cameras diverge is in their optical zoom capacity and aperture.

The P100’s super-telephoto 678mm equivalent focal range grants extraordinary reach, perfect for distant wildlife or sports action. Its brighter wide-aperture of f/2.8 is also advantageous for dim environments and subject isolation.

In contrast, the S8200’s 14x 25-350mm zoom is shorter but still covers most everyday focal lengths for travel, street, and general photography. The slightly slower aperture, particularly at telephoto, limits performance in low light and depth of field control.

The P100’s sensor-shift image stabilization effectively counters handshake, essential at extreme zooms. The S8200’s optical stabilization also helps but is less comprehensive than sensor-shift systems.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Autofocus technology impacts your ability to capture sharp images, especially with moving subjects.

The P100’s autofocus performance is basic - single AF without tracking capabilities. It works well for static subjects but struggles in fast-paced scenes.

The S8200 offers more advanced focusing, including face detection and AF tracking which assist in maintaining focus on moving subjects such as people or pets. However, its continuous shooting rate is slower than the P100.

This means for wildlife or sports enthusiasts, the P100’s rapid burst rate paired with huge zoom is advantageous but interrupted by slower autofocus. The S8200 provides smarter autofocus assistance but is better suited for casual action rather than professional speed demands.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

Your shooting experience depends heavily on the quality and flexibility of the LCD screen and viewfinder.

The P100 features a tilting LCD and an electronic viewfinder (EVF), both useful for composing in diverse shooting situations. The EVF assists in bright situations or when you want to stabilize the camera against your face.

The S8200’s higher-resolution display offers clearer, sharper images on screen, great for reviewing shots and accurate manual focusing. However, it lacks tilt or touch functionality.

If you’re shooting outdoors in bright sun frequently, the P100’s EVF is a clear advantage. For casual users shooting predominantly from the hip or waist level, the S8200’s vibrant screen suffices.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Both cameras use proprietary Nikon batteries and store photos on SD/SDHC cards.

The P100 does not list official CIPA ratings, but its larger size suggests a higher capacity battery than the tiny S8200’s EN-EL12 pack. In practice, the S8200’s battery endurance is moderate and favors casual shooting.

For extended travel or event shooting, you’d want spare batteries for either model. The P100’s marginally larger body allows handling extra batteries more comfortably.

Video Functionality: Recording Full HD with Limitations

Both cameras capture Full HD video at 30 frames per second, a common standard for casual video.

Neither camera supports advanced video features such as 4K capture, high frame rates, or microphone inputs.

The P100’s sensor-shift stabilization benefits video smoothness more than the S8200’s lens-based system, reducing visible shake. However, neither camera is ideal for professional video work.

Strength in Versatility: Performance Across Photography Types

Let’s evaluate their practical performance across key photography disciplines.

Portraits

• P100: Limited autofocus with no face or eye detection restricts quick focus on eyes - important for sharp portraits. However, the wide lens aperture at wide angle f/2.8 can blur backgrounds nicely.
• S8200: Offers face detection AF, improving subject tracking and focus in portraiture, but smaller zoom range limits creative framing.

Landscapes

• P100: Moderate 10MP resolution may limit large prints but sufficient for online use. The tilting LCD and EVF help compose complex scenes.
• S8200: Higher resolution captures finer detail but the fixed screen lowers compositional flexibility.

Wildlife

• P100: Outstanding 26x telephoto zoom gives you great reach. Burst mode at 10fps can catch fleeting moments, but the basic AF may miss fast or erratic subjects.
• S8200: Better AF tracking but shorter 14x zoom limits distant shots.

Sports

• P100: Fast burst shooting offers advantage but AF speed may lag behind fast action.
• S8200: Limited continuous shooting and slower zoom reduce suitability.

Street Photography

• S8200: Compact size, quiet operation, and face detection work well here.
• P100: Bulkier and more obvious, less ideal for candid shooting.

Macro

Both support close focusing down to 1 cm, enabling creative close-ups. The P100’s lens bright aperture aids depth control.

Night and Astro

Small sensors limit low-light quality on both, but the P100’s lower megapixels and faster wide aperture favor cleaner low-light images with less noise.

Video and Travel

For travel, the lightweight S8200 is easier to carry, whereas the P100’s larger size provides more creative control and zoom reach. Both lack advanced video features but offer Full HD.

Other Technical Considerations

Neither camera offers weather sealing or wireless features, typical for their class and time of release.

Putting It All Together: Scorecard and Summary

After rigorous side-by-side testing and hands-on sessions with both cameras, here is our overall assessment.

Nikon P100 front Nikon P100 screen back Nikon S8200 front Nikon S8200 screen back

We reviewed image quality, zoom performance, controls, and usability in diverse lighting and subject scenarios.

Which One Should You Choose?

Go for the Nikon P100 if…

• You want maximum zoom reach and versatility.
• Manual exposure modes and control matter.
• You need an electronic viewfinder for bright or precise shooting.
• Your photography involves wildlife, sports, or travel where reach and control are key.
• You’re okay with a larger camera footprint for added features.

Choose the Nikon S8200 if…

• You prioritize portability and lightweight design.
• You shoot portraits or social scenes benefiting from face detection AF.
• You want a simpler, beginner-friendly interface with good image detail.
• Your use leans toward street photography, casual travel, and general snapshots.
• You need a sharper display for easy composing and reviewing images.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras serve distinct photography niches despite sharing basic sensor tech. The P100 shines for enthusiasts needing an affordable superzoom with manual control and optical performance balanced across disciplines. The S8200 offers a sleek, compact alternative better suited for casual shooters who want good image quality without complexity.

While neither camera supports raw - a limitation for postprocessing specialists - their JPEG quality is respectable when exposure and focus are managed carefully.

If you’re stepping up from point-and-shoot basics, the P100’s DSLR style and zoom advantages provide ample room to grow your skills. For travelers or street photographers who value size and ease of use, the S8200’s improvements in autofocus and display resolution make it a worthy companion.

We encourage you to handle both if possible. Check out their balance, feel, and menus to see what matches your shooting style. Pair each camera with accessories like extra batteries, quality SD cards, and protective cases tailored to your adventures.

Remember, camera gear serves your creative vision - choose the one that inspires you most to get out there and capture your world.

Summary Table: Nikon P100 vs S8200

We hope this thorough comparison helps untangle the strengths and limitations of the Nikon P100 and S8200. Both cameras are capable tools within their range. Your choice should depend on your photography preferences, how much manual control you want, and your portability needs.

Happy shooting - and thrive on your photography journey!