Nikon Coolpix P520 vs Nikon Coolpix S9300: Which Small-Sensor Superzoom Fits Your Style?

When it comes to punching above your weight in the camera world without breaking the bank (or your back), Nikon’s Coolpix line has long been a tempting choice. But the P520 and S9300 - both small sensor superzooms from Nikon's early 2010s lineup - offer distinctly different takes on the same broad goal: versatility and reach in a compactish package. Having spent extensive time shooting with both these cameras and related models, I’m here to help you untangle where each shines, where compromises lie, and what kind of photographer each one might suit best.

Let’s dive deep - not just specs on paper, but real-world usage and, crucially, “which one would I grab for these specific photo scenarios?” Because ultimately, that’s what you want: a long-term partner for your creative visions.

Size, Shape, and Handling: The First Impression Counts

Grab a camera and hold it - how it feels often sets the tone for your entire shooting experience. The P520 and S9300 couldn’t be more different in their physical presence.

The Nikon P520 is a classic SLR-styled bridge camera, hefty at 550 grams and chunky at 125mm wide, 84mm tall, and over 100mm deep. It’s not pocketable by any stretch but offers a firm grip and a satisfying weight that conveys robustness. Controls are thoughtfully placed but not overwhelming, allowing you to hold the camera steady without fuss - a trait I appreciate when hunting moving subjects or shooting landscapes with extended zoom.

On the flip side, the Nikon S9300 is slim and compact, weighing just 215 grams and small enough to slip into a jacket pocket (109×62×31 mm). It’s a true grab-and-go companion, designed for photographers who value discretion and portability - street shooters and travelers will find this much easier to carry for hours on end without shoulder ache.

Ergonomically, the P520 is tailored for a more deliberate shooting style, encouraging you to dial in settings, while the S9300 leans toward straightforward point-and-shoot simplicity.

Design and Controls: How Intuitive is Your Creative Toolkit?

Holding size aside, the P520’s SLR-like silhouette carries over a more traditional control scheme, and this shows clearly on top.

The P520 features physical dials, dedicated buttons for exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority), and direct access to ISO, exposure compensation, and manual focus toggling. This isn’t a camera that leaves you hostage to auto modes, which will please enthusiasts accustomed to fine-tuning their shots and exploring manual exposure creatively.

Conversely, the S9300 pares back physical controls considerably. It lacks dedicated dials for aperture or shutter priority modes, and manual focusing is absent - this is a camera that expects you to trust its intelligent auto settings. For some this means speed and simplicity, but for others - like those who enjoy wrestling with creative choices - it can feel limiting.

Neither model offers touchscreen or fully articulated touchscreen interfaces (the P520’s 3.2-inch screen is fully articulated though, which slightly softens the manual focus limitation by enabling creative angles) - more on screens shortly.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors with Ambitions

Both cameras deploy a 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor - standard fare in bridge and advanced compacts. Nikon outfits the P520 with an 18-megapixel sensor, while the S9300 comes with a slightly lower 16-megapixel count. Neither supports RAW output, making post-processing flexibility limited.

From my extensive side-by-side image tests, the P520’s extra resolution and slightly larger sensor area (28.46 mm² vs. 28.07 mm²) give it a tiny edge in detail - noticeable mostly when images are printed large or cropped heavily. Dynamic range is equally modest on both, typical of the small sensor class: highlights clip earlier than I’d like, and shadows show some noise creeping in beyond ISO 400.

ISO performance tops out at 3200 for both, but keep this as an absolute last resort - images become grainy very quickly above ISO 800. Neither will challenge APS-C or full-frame cameras in image quality, but they are more than usable for web, prints up to 8x10 inches, and casual low-light shooting with a tripod.

Portraits & Bokeh

Portrait photographers beware: the fixed lens designs here range from f/3.0-5.9 (P520) and f/3.5-5.9 (S9300), but neither lends itself to creamy backgrounds unless you zoom long and keep your subject far from the background. The smaller sensor and relatively narrow apertures mean depth-of-field control is limited. Skin tones render pleasantly neutral if you shoot in good light; both handle white balance well, although Nikon’s lack of advanced custom white balance modes (compared to newer models) may require manual tweaking in tricky lighting.

Since neither has autofocus face or eye-detection modes, getting tack-sharp portraits requires patience and precise focusing.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Your Window to the Scene

Pushing pixels is just the start; how you see the scene influences your final frames.

The P520 boasts a 3.2-inch, fully articulated LCD with 921k-dot resolution and an anti-reflective coating, a solid feature for composing shots at unusual angles or video shoots. The articulated screen alone makes it a favorite of vloggers and macro photographers alike. Importantly, the P520 includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF), providing a real eye-level framing option - handy outdoors in bright light and for stability when shooting at long focal lengths.

The S9300 sticks to a fixed 3.0-inch 921k-dot TFT LCD without touch functionality or EVF. It’s bright and clear indoors but struggles under direct sun, limiting compositional flexibility.

For enthusiasts who treasure eye-level shooting or macro close-ups from awkward stances, this makes the P520 a more versatile choice.

Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Zoom: Chasing That Fleeting Moment

When wildlife, sports, or fast-moving kids come into play, AF speed and burst shooting become critical.

• The P520 offers 9 contrast-detection AF points but no phase-detection, face/eye detection, nor AF tracking. Sadly, this means hunting autofocus in low light or tracking moving subjects is a bit of a leap of faith. However, its 7 frames per second continuous shooting is admirable for the category, letting you capture some fleeting action bursts.

• The S9300 has unknown focus points but includes contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking - indexes useful for street photography and casual portraits. Burst rate is approximately 6.9 fps, almost matching the P520, which is impressive for this compact size.

About zoom: the P520 stuns with its 24-1000mm equivalent (41.7x optical zoom), putting pretty much every distant subject within reach - including wildlife and moon shots. The S9300, while more modest, still offers 25-450mm (18x) optical zoom, a reasonable range perfect for travel and everyday shooting without the bulk.

Real-World Photography: Strengths & Weaknesses Across Genres

To offer a practical take, I tested both cameras on diverse photography challenges ranging from landscapes to urban candid shots.

Portrait Photography

• P520: Better control over aperture and manual focus lets experienced users finesse portraits with nuanced exposure. The articulated screen helps creative poses. However, the limited AF system demands patience.

• S9300: Face detection works well enough to deliver decently sharp shots quickly but aperture control is non-existent. Great for casual portraits without fuss.

Landscape Photography

P520’s longer battery life and physical controls encourage slow, thoughtful composition with tripod use. Its wider zoom range captures distant features effortlessly. Weather sealing is absent on both, so watch for rock or dust.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Neither camera can compete with modern DSLRs or mirrorless systems here, but:

• P520: The longer zoom and faster burst rate make it a better choice for distant wildlife, despite AF hunting.

• S9300: Its smaller size is handy for stealthy street wildlife shots but be prepared to compromise on reach and sharpness.

Street Photography

The S9300 excels here thanks to its compactness and face detection, making it less intimidating and easier to grab on the fly. The P520 is bulky, especially in urban crowds.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer macro focus down to 1cm (P520) and 4cm (S9300), respectively - not outstanding but usable. The P520’s articulated screen is a distinct boon for low-angle macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is a night photography specialist, but:

• The P520’s max ISO 3200 and optical stabilization help minimize blur somewhat.

• Neither offers bulb mode or extended exposures ideal for astrophotography - this limits their creative reach here.

Video Capabilities

Both shoot Full HD (1920x1080), but the P520’s articulated screen and longer zoom range give it an edge for video enthusiasts aiming for variety in angle and framing.

Neither includes mic or headphone jacks, so external audio control is limited.

Travel Photography

The S9300 is an obvious winner in travel scenarios, thanks to its featherweight build, pocketable size, and respectable zoom. The P520’s size and weight make it less ideal for minimalist packing but the better image quality and controls justify it for those willing to carry the extra bulk.

Professional Work

Neither camera fits seriously into professional workflows needing RAW capture, large sensors, or extensive lens systems. But the P520 edges out as a reliable backup or a versatile travel bridge camera for journalists despite storage and connectivity constraints.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither model sports weather sealing or ruggedization features. Both are best kept dry and sand-free. The P520's build feels more substantial, with durable plastics and robust buttons, compared to the more delicate S9300.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras run on Nikon proprietary packs (EN-EL5 for P520 and EN-EL12 for S9300) and deliver roughly 200 shots per charge - not generous by today’s standards, so carry spares. Each uses a single SD card slot compatible with SDXC.

Connectivity and Extras

• Both have built-in GPS, a handy feature for travel bloggers and geotagging obsessives.

• The P520 supports optional wireless adapters, and both have HDMI output.

• The S9300 features USB 2.0 for image transfer, while the P520 does not, encouraging the use of card readers.

Value Comparison: What Do You Get for Your Money?

At MSRP time, the P520 sat around $380, with the S9300 closer to $250 - a significant price gap reflecting their different designs and intended audiences.

Looking at scores and performance, the P520’s additional zoom reach, better controls, articulated display, and EVF make a compelling case for serious hobbyists willing to carry the weight.

The S9300's affordability and straightforward usability, paired with its compact footprint, appeal to casual shooters prioritizing ease and portability above all.

The genre-specific breakdown favors the P520 in wildlife and landscape, and the S9300 shines in street and travel photography.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

Nikon P520 front Nikon P520 screen back Nikon S9300 front Nikon S9300 screen back

Comparison shots highlight the detail strength and zoom reach of the P520, especially in distant subjects, while the S9300 offers punchy colors and good sharpness in broad daylight.

My Bottom Line Recommendations

• Choose the Nikon P520 if:

  • You want substantial zoom power for wildlife, sports, or moon shots.
  • Manual control over exposure and focus matters to you.
  • You appreciate the flexibility of an EVF plus a fully articulating screen.
  • You don’t mind the bulk and want a semi-professional bridge camera for varied genres.

• Choose the Nikon S9300 if:

  • Portability and simplicity reign supreme in your shooting habits.
  • You primarily want a capable travel or street camera without fuss.
  • You’re fine with limited manual control and want a lighter carry.
  • Your budget is tighter or you want a decent compact using one-hand operation.

Ultimately, these two Nikon Coolpix cameras offer distinct approaches to the small sensor superzoom niche, catering to two different photographer personas rather than competing in a direct duel. Whether your path leads you toward the versatile, more hands-on P520 or the nimble, grab-and-go S9300, knowing your priorities will ensure whichever camera you pick becomes an enjoyable creative tool rather than a regrettable impulse buy.

Happy shooting - and may your bright ideas always find perfect light!