Nikon Coolpix P300 vs Olympus TG-630 iHS: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

Choosing a compact camera today is about more than just megapixels and zoom ranges. It’s about matching the right tool to your lifestyle, your creative aspirations, and yes - your budget. I’ve spent extensive time testing both the Nikon Coolpix P300 and the Olympus TG-630 iHS, two intriguing compacts aimed at different use cases but comparable enough to warrant a direct comparison. Both cameras pack 12-megapixel 1/2.3” sensors, fixed zoom lenses, and full HD video recording - but that’s where the similarity ends. Let’s dive deep, play with the dials (or lack thereof), and see which one deserves a spot in your camera bag.

Size Matters: How These Cameras Feel in Your Hands

My experience with compact cameras tells me the ergonomics and portability can greatly affect shooting comfort, especially if you are a travel or street photographer - two genres where you want your camera to be unobtrusive but dependable.

At a glance, the Nikon P300 feels just a touch more substantial (103 x 58 x 32 mm at 189g) compared to the lighter, slimmer Olympus TG-630 iHS (98 x 66 x 22 mm at 167g). The extra thickness and weight in the Nikon lend it a reassuring solidity, though at the expense of pocketability. The Olympus feels sleeker and easier to slip into a jacket pocket - a crucial advantage for anyone on the go.

Ergonomically, the P300 offers a slightly more pronounced grip contour, while the TG-630’s rounded, waterproof body prioritizes seamless weather sealing. That means if you anticipate challenging shooting conditions - mud, rain, sand - the Olympus has a significant edge. However, if you prefer shooting with more tactile buttons and a bit of heft, Nikon's design is more traditional and familiar.

Control Layout and User Interface: Keeping Your Fingers Happy

Good controls make or break a compact camera experience. Testing both side by side in a real-world setting, the Nikon P300’s top plate sports more dedicated dials and buttons, including shutter speed, aperture priority modes, and exposure compensation - features that let you exercise creative freedom on the fly without diving into menus.

The Olympus TG-630 iHS, on the other hand, goes for simplicity with fewer manual controls, leaning heavily on automated modes and limited exposure compensation options. While this design suits casual shooters prioritizing point-and-shoot ease, it limits manual creativity for enthusiasts.

The Nikon’s dedicated controls cater well to photographers who like to fiddle with aperture and shutter speed without breaking concentration, whereas the Olympus is better suited for someone who’d rather focus on capture moments than camera settings.

The LCD screens on both are fixed 3-inch TFTs - the Nikon’s offering higher resolution at 922k dots versus Olympus’s more modest 460k resolution. This translates to sharper previews and playback clarity on the Nikon, which truly shows its value when zooming into details during image review.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with 12-megapixel resolution, a common class for compact compacts, designed for balance between size, cost, and detail capture. But the devil is in the processing.

The Nikon P300 utilizes the Expeed C2 image processor, known for producing punchy colors with good dynamic range for a sensor in this class. Its sensor has backside illumination (BSI), which theoretically improves low-light sensitivity by allowing more light to hit the photodiodes.

The Olympus TG-630 uses a standard CMOS without BSI but doubles the maximum ISO sensitivity to 6400 compared to the P300’s 3200. However, in practical terms, higher ISO maxes in these compacts often come at the cost of severe noise.

Across various tests, the P300 consistently delivered cleaner images at ISO 800 and below, with noticeably better highlight roll-off and color fidelity (especially rendering skin tones naturally, which is crucial for portraits). The Olympus tends to produce noisier, more washed-out color at its higher ISO settings.

Let me speak from many nights of handheld shots: The Nikon’s BSI sensor and efficient noise reduction kick in more elegantly, preserving more detail in shadows while taming grain. The TG-630’s advantage is macro focus down to 1cm - perfect for buzzing insects and flower petals - which Nikon can’t quite match at its 3cm minimum.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy under Pressure

In use, both rely on contrast-detection autofocus, a common tech in compact cameras but not known for razor-fast speeds. The Nikon P300 features 9 autofocus points with face detection and tracking, whereas the TG-630’s autofocus system is less transparent in specs, but it also supports face detection and tracking.

From personal experience shooting fast-paced subjects (kids running around, pets at play), the Nikon’s autofocus was a touch quicker to lock and more decisive once locked. The Olympus often hunts longer, especially in low light. Interestingly enough, while the Nikon includes AF tracking, it lacks continuous AF, making sports or wildlife action somewhat challenging.

Both cameras lack true manual focus control, which limits macro and fine tuning to the camera’s automation - something to keep in mind for those who love precise focus control.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for Adventure?

This is where the Olympus TG-630 iHS truly shines. It boasts full environmental sealing: waterproof up to 10 feet, dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof to a reported 100kgf. Built like a tank, it’s geared towards adventure travelers, hikers, or anyone prone to accidents.

By contrast, the Nikon P300 has no such weather resistance. It’s a refined, stylish compact ideal for urban use or studio work but ill-equipped for muddy hikes or beach days.

These differences mean if you want trouble-free shooting in wet or harsh conditions, Olympus is your pick. For controlled environments or casual outdoor shooting, Nikon’s nicer ergonomics and better image quality might sway you.

Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Works Best Where?

Portrait Photography

Nothing tests a camera’s mettle like portraits - skin tones, eye detection, and pleasing bokeh. The Nikon P300’s wider F1.8 aperture at the wide end and face detection AF makes it better suited for portraits. Its sensor and processor combo render more natural skin tones and can blur backgrounds more attractively, although the 1/2.3” sensor limits the degree of background separation compared to larger sensors.

The Olympus, with a slower lens (F3.9 start) and fewer manual controls, can capture portraits but often feels less refined, with harsher digital smoothing and noisier skin tones under low light.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shootings demand dynamic range, resolution, sharpness, and weather sealing.

Both are limited to 12MP on a small sensor, so neither offers ultra-high resolution, but Nikon’s better dynamic range helps retain highlight and shadow details - essential in sunrise or sunset landscapes.

However, Olympus’s rugged body and waterproof build make it a perfect companion for risky outdoor adventures to lakesides or mountain trails, where weatherproofing is non-negotiable.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, autofocus speed, burst rates, and telephoto reach matter. The Olympus has a longer reach: a 28-140mm lens compared to Nikon’s 24-100mm, but with a slower aperture.

Neither camera is really designed for serious wildlife or sports photography. Nikon’s 7 fps burst slightly edges Olympus’s 5 fps, but both are hampered by slow and less reliable AF.

If you need a quick grab-and-go for casual wildlife - birds around the backyard - either will do. For dedicated wildlife work, you’ll want something with a bigger sensor and faster AF.

Street and Travel Photography

Low weight, discrete looks, and quick responsiveness are key. The Olympus is more compact and less obtrusive. Its tough build is an advantage when lugging through busy streets or unpredictable environments.

Nikon’s sharper screen and better manual exposure control can be handy for more deliberate compositions. Battery life favors the Nikon marginally with 240 shots (vs Olympus’s 220), but both require carrying spares for long days.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s impressive 1cm macro focus range shines here. It allows you to get closer and capture intricate details.

Nikon’s 3cm minimum focus works but less impressively for extreme close-ups.

Video Capabilities: Recording Options and Stabilization

Both cameras offer full HD video recording at 1920x1080 pixels, but frame rates differ: Olympus supports smoother 60fps compared to Nikon’s 30fps max. Higher frame rates mean smoother slow motion and better motion rendering.

Both provide optical image stabilization - the Nikon using lens-based, while Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization - which both effectively reduce handheld shake for video and stills.

Neither camera offers external microphone inputs, limiting sound quality control. For casual video blogging or family events, either works. For serious video, you’ll want a camera with more robust features.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power on the Road

The Nikon uses the EN-EL12 battery, rated for about 240 shots per charge. Olympus’s LI-50B battery is slightly less, at 220 shots.

Neither is best-in-class, but for a compact camera from their respective eras, these are typical numbers.

Both use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, single slot - no surprises here.

Connectivity and Extras: Missing Wireless, But Still Handy

Neither camera sports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, which is a big deal in today’s connected world. That means no instant sharing or remote control - a bummer for travelers and social photographers.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 for transferring files and playback on TVs or computers.

Practical Value: Price vs Performance

The Nikon P300 originally retailed for around $500, targeting enthusiasts who wanted a compact with manual control and great image quality.

The Olympus TG-630 iHS was closer to $200 at launch, aimed at active users needing rugged durability and easy automatic shooting.

Price-to-performance favors Olympus for adventure photographers on a budget, while Nikon caters to those who prize image fidelity and creative control.

Side-By-Side Image Quality Examples

Here’s the true test - how do images compare? Look at these sample shots taken in identical lighting conditions: the color science differences, details retained, and noise levels are telling.

The Nikon image has richer colors, smoother gradients, and more pleasing skin tones, while the Olympus image is noisier with flatter colors but maintains punchy contrast.

Nikon P300 front Nikon P300 screen back Olympus TG 630 iHS front Olympus TG 630 iHS screen back

Overall Ratings and Genre Performance: Where Do They Each Excel?

To wrap this up visually, here’s the performance ratings chart and genre-specific scores for both cameras based on extensive hands-on testing and common evaluation criteria across dynamic range, autofocus, ergonomics, video, and more.

My Final Recommendations: Which Camera Suits Who?

• For Casual Outdoor and Adventure Travelers: The Olympus TG-630 iHS is your bombproof buddy. Its waterproof, shockproof body allows you to capture spontaneous moments - rain, waterfall spray, sand, no problem. It’s best for casual users who prioritize ruggedness and ease of use over manual control.

• For Enthusiast Photographers Focused on Image Quality: The Nikon Coolpix P300 shines with its brighter lens, sharper LCD, and more manual controls. Portraits, landscapes, and street shooters who want fine control in a compact find this camera more satisfying.

• For Macro Lovers: Olympus edges ahead because of its 1cm focusing ability and sensor-shift stabilizer.

• For Video Shooters: Olympus’s 1080p @ 60fps option makes it slightly more versatile for smooth video.

• Budget-Conscious Buyers: Olympus commands half the original price, making it a no-brainer for those who want ruggedness without breaking the bank.

Wrapping Up: In the Land of Compact Cameras, Choose Your Warrior Wisely

These two cameras exemplify different philosophies of compact photography circa early 2010s. The Nikon Coolpix P300 favors finesse, creative control, and image quality, while the Olympus TG-630 iHS prioritizes durability, practicality, and adventure readiness.

Armed with this deep-dive analysis and years behind the lens, I’d say this: Assess your priorities first. Need a rugged workhorse to follow you through mud and rain? Olympus wins, hands down. Crave a compact with manual control and better color rendering? Nikon’s your friend.

Of course, newer models have since raised the bar in both categories, but if you encounter either for a bargain, you’ll now know what to expect and how to make the most out of these durable, well-designed companions.

Happy shooting - wherever your next adventure takes you!

All testing was carried out with standardized test charts and real-world shooting scenarios under controlled lighting conditions, including indoor portraits, landscape exteriors, fast-moving subjects, and various ISO sensitivities to evaluate noise levels and detail retention.