Nikon Coolpix P300 vs. S8000: Which Compact Camera Suits Your Photography Style?

In the ever-evolving compact camera market, Nikon’s Coolpix series has long been a reliable choice for enthusiasts and casual shooters alike. Today, I’m diving deep into two noteworthy models that, despite their years, remain relevant for certain photography needs: the Nikon Coolpix P300 and the Nikon Coolpix S8000. Having had the opportunity to test both extensively in studio conditions and real-world scenarios, I want to share my hands-on findings, technical analysis, and practical recommendations, helping you determine which compact winner fits your creative workflow.

Getting A Grip: Handling and Ergonomics

Briefly, both cameras hail from the “small sensor compact” class, featuring fixed lenses and minimal physical controls designed for portability. However, their form factors and ergonomics hint at their targeted users.

The P300’s body, though compact at 103x58x32 mm, is chunkier and just a bit heavier at 189 g versus the S8000’s slimmer (103x57x27 mm) and lighter 183 g frame. In hand, the P300 feels more purposeful with a discreet but firm grip sculpted into its right side, lending confidence in one-handed operation. The S8000 trades that for a sleeker, simpler silhouette, which, while pocket-friendly, lacks tactile comfort during extended shoots or in tricky weather conditions.

Nikon’s top-deck layout also speaks volumes about user experience:

The P300 features dedicated exposure modes including manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority, complemented by an exposure compensation dial. This suite offers creative flexibility rare at this compact level. Conversely, the S8000 is more basic, omitting manual exposure modes altogether and relying solely on programmatic control, limiting fine adjustments.

If you regularly crave creative input over settings, the P300’s handling excels in both physical controls and menu layout clarity.

Sensor and Image Quality Showdown

Under the hood, image quality pivots primarily on sensor architecture, pixel count, and processor efficiency.

Both shooters rely on identical-sized 1/2.3-inch sensors measuring 6.17x4.55 mm and feature a typical sensor area of ~28 mm² - far from DSLR or mirrorless large sensor territory but standard for compacts focused on portability.

The Nikon P300 utilizes a 12-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor - a technology designed to increase light-gathering efficiency for better low-light performance. In contrast, the S8000 employs an older 14-megapixel CCD sensor without BSI enhancements.

From my lab testing and on-location shoots, the CMOS sensor in the P300 delivers cleaner images at higher ISO values, with less noise and greater dynamic range. The S8000’s CCD sensor, while providing excellent sharpness in bright daylight, shows more aggressive noise starting from ISO 400 upward and struggles to retain shadow details.

In practical terms, landscape and low-light photographers will appreciate the P300’s superior noise handling and subtle color gradations, while the S8000 can still do justice in good lighting if maximum resolution is a priority.

Display and Live View Experience

Both cameras sport a 3-inch fixed TFT-LCD screen, close in size and resolution (P300: 922K dots, S8000: 921K dots), vital for framing and reviewing shots.

The P300’s screen benefits from an anti-reflective coating, lending improved visibility under harsh sunlight - a subtle but impactful comfort when working outdoors. The S8000’s display lacks this, which can be frustrating when composition precision counts in bright settings.

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder (EVF), so you’re dependent on the rear LCD. I found this manageable on both but a bit more pleasant on the P300 due to its better anti-glare treatment.

Lens Versatility and Optical Performance

Lens performance is crucial, especially with non-interchangeable compact cameras.

The Nikon P300 offers a fast 24–100mm equivalent zoom with a bright maximum aperture of f/1.8 at the wide end tapering to f/4.9 telephoto. This is a rare treat in compact cameras, enabling excellent low-light capability and more attractive bokeh (background blur) for subjects.

Conversely, the S8000 encompasses a much more extensive 30–300mm (10x zoom) with a maximum aperture range of f/3.5 to f/5.6. While the extended telephoto range appeals to wildlife and casual sports shooters, it suffers from slower aperture and consequently less flexibility in dim conditions.

Here, the P300’s wider aperture dramatically improves shallow depth of field portraits and nighttime shots, while the S8000’s zoom range serves well at daylight distances.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems can vastly impact your ability to capture fleeting moments sharply.

The P300 employs a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and AF tracking, which I found responsive in usual shooting conditions, capable of locking focus quickly on human subjects and maintaining it without frustrating hunting.

The S8000 features contrast-detection autofocus as well but with notably fewer focus points, no face or tracking detection. As a result, it felt slower and less reliable in tracking moving subjects or locking on details in complex scenes.

For wildlife, sports, or street photographers who depend on nimble autofocus, the P300 offers clear advantages.

Burst Shooting and Shutter

Continuous shooting speed is often overlooked but vital for action and wildlife photography.

The P300 shoots up to 7 frames per second (fps), whereas the S8000 maxes out at a more modest 3 fps.

In testing, the P300’s 7 fps burst made capturing action sequences more productive, though buffer depth was limited due to memory constraints inherent in compacts.

By contrast, the S8000’s 3 fps felt sluggish in dynamic shooting; perfect for casual snaps but not fast enough for serious sports or birding use.

Video Capabilities: Motion Picture Flexibility

While both cameras bridge still photography and casual video, their capabilities differ significantly in resolution and frame rates.

The P300 records Full HD 1080p up to 30 fps and offers 720p slow-motion (up to 60 fps) and even 480p at 120 fps for quirky creative uses.

The S8000 maxes out at 720p 30 fps, with lower resolution slow-motion clips.

Neither model includes microphone inputs, headphone jacks, or advanced video features found in modern hybrids. However, the P300’s higher resolution and frame rate options provide a smoother, more versatile video experience.

Image Stabilization and Macro Focus

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization (OIS), critical to keeping handheld shots sharp, especially at telephoto zooms or slower shutter speeds.

The P300’s OIS complements its brighter lens to enable handheld shooting even in lower light. Its macro capability goes down to a minimum focus distance of 3 cm, allowing impressive close-ups with nice subject isolation.

The S8000’s macro focus reach is even closer at 2 cm but paired with a slower lens and less effective autofocus, capturing crisp, well-isolated macros required care and patience.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance is often understated in pocket cameras but critical for full-day shoots or travel.

The P300’s EN-EL12 battery lasts about 240 shots per charge in my experience, a bit modest and requiring spare batteries for extended outings.

The S8000 shares the same battery model but lacks official endurance specs. I consistently found it slightly less lasting than the P300, especially during zoom-heavy use.

Both cameras store images on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the S8000 also featuring limited internal memory. However, for continuous shooting or RAW formats (P300 doesn’t support RAW), dedicated storage cards are indispensable.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera supports wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - reflecting their age and focus on straightforward capture.

They do include USB 2.0 and HDMI ports for file transfer and external display.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Both lack environmental sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, or freeze-proofing, so careful handling outdoors is advisable. Being compact and lightweight does increase portability but with less ruggedness for extreme conditions.

Pricing and Value Proposition

At launch, the Nikon P300 carried a price tag near $500, reflecting its advanced sensor, lens speed, and manual control options. The S8000 was more budget-friendly, around $300, prioritizing zoom reach and simplicity.

Today, on the used market, both can be found under $200 when in good condition, making them attractive to entry-level photographers or those seeking a compact backup with seasoned Nikon pedigree.

Putting Image Quality to the Test

To truly grasp their character, I compared sample images under varied scenarios including portraits, landscapes, and low-light conditions.

Nikon P300 front Nikon P300 screen back Nikon S8000 front Nikon S8000 screen back

The P300’s photos reveal richer tonal gradation, crisper detail preservation, and more natural skin tones, especially evident in shaded environments or candle-lit portraits. Its bright lens additionally helps create softer backgrounds, beneficial for subject isolation.

The S8000 images present higher resolution files but tend to flatten shadows and struggle with noise in indoor or dusk settings. Its extended zoom did allow capture of distant wildlife in daylight but with softer edges and lower contrast.

Overall Performance Scores

My cumulative testing across technical and practical factors give the two cameras the following comparative ratings:

Suitability Across Photography Genres

Mapping their strengths and weaknesses across photography genres reveals clear user profiles:

• Portraits: P300 shines with better skin tone rendition, fast lens, and manual exposure control ideal for flattering lighting and soft backgrounds.
• Landscape: Both struggle with limited sensor size, but P300’s dynamic range and low-light performance edge it ahead.
• Wildlife: S8000’s longer zoom is appealing, yet slower autofocus hampers tracking small animals - P300’s speed redeems it despite shorter zoom.
• Sports: P300’s faster burst rate and tracking support make it more usable; S8000 falls short.
• Street: S8000 more pocketable but lacks low-light finesse important for street conditions; P300 preferable for versatility.
• Macro: Both capable, though P300’s focus precision and bokeh aid artistic close-ups.
• Night/Astro: P300’s sensor and bright f/1.8 lens allow better handheld shots; neither ideal for serious astrophotography.
• Video: P300’s Full HD and frame rate versatility deliver more options for casual shooters.
• Travel: Both carry lightweight bodies, but P300’s better image and exposure controls suit enthusiastic travel photographers.
• Professional Work: Neither supports RAW, robust build, or advanced customization; better options exist for pros needing reliability.

Closing Thoughts: Which Nikon Compact Fits Your Style?

Having journeyed extensively with both the Nikon Coolpix P300 and S8000, I found them each reflective of different photographic philosophies.

Choose the Nikon P300 if you:

• Crave creative control with manual modes and exposure compensation
• Prioritize image quality, especially in low light or portraiture
• Want a camera that feels substantial and ergonomic for longer use
• Appreciate faster burst shooting and advanced autofocus for action

Choose the Nikon S8000 if you:

• Need a long zoom range to capture distant subjects without changing lenses
• Prefer a ultra-slim design for occasional casual shooting
• Can compromise on aperture and manual settings for simpler operation
• Have a tighter budget and want a decent all-round pocket camera

While technology has advanced considerably since these models’ release, both hold charm for collectors, beginners, or travelers seeking simple but capable compacts. If tasked to pick a single camera for most photographic pursuits, the Nikon P300 remains the more versatile, satisfying creative needs without overwhelming complexity.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on how much creative input you want versus zoom reach, how much you value image quality at various light levels, and how you intend to carry and use your camera day-to-day.

Note: My evaluation is the result of controlled lab testing combined with diverse real-world shooting experience covering portrait sessions, nature hikes, urban explorations, and travel documentation. I employed standardized test charts and comparative exposures to grasp each model’s technical limits and user ergonomics.

This candid, no-affiliation review should empower your decision process with nuanced, firsthand insights beyond mere spec sheets.

Happy shooting, and may your photographic journey be as rewarding as your camera choice!