Nikon P7100 vs Samsung PL200

Nikon P7100 vs Samsung PL200: An In-Depth Exploration of Two Compact Contenders

Choosing a compact camera in the early 2010s was a delicate balancing act - between features, sensor sizes, ergonomics, and price points. Today, we'll dive headfirst into a detailed comparison of two notable small-sensor compacts from that era: the Nikon Coolpix P7100 and the Samsung PL200. Both cameras target enthusiasts looking for more control than a basic point-and-shoot but without the heft or complexity of DSLRs or mirrorless systems.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’m keen to unpack not only what specs promise but how these translate into actual shooting experiences across genres - from portraiture to night photography. We’ll dissect sensor capabilities, autofocus nuances, physical handling, and more. So buckle up for a friendly yet forensic stroll through these two relic-ish models, while pondering what they might still offer today.

Setting the Stage: Who Are These Cameras For?

Before we get too technical, it pays to understand their market positioning. The Nikon P7100 launched in early 2012 as a successor to Nikon’s P7000 - aiming squarely at advanced amateurs craving manual control and RAW shooting in a compact form. Meanwhile, Samsung’s PL200 appeared in 2010, seeking to impress casual users desiring flexible zoom and decent image quality but with far fewer bells and whistles.

In a nutshell:

• Nikon P7100: Advanced enthusiast compact with manual modes, tilting viewfinder, high ISO RAW support, and good ergonomics.

• Samsung PL200: Entry-level compact focused on simplicity, zoom range, and easy operation - with fewer manual options.

Both sport fixed zoom lenses with similar focal length coverage (~28-200mm eq. for Nikon, ~31-217mm eq. for Samsung), but their execution differs significantly, as we will see.

First Impressions: Handling, Design, and Physicality

Handling is more than just how a camera feels in your hand - it’s about intuitive control layout, weight balance, and viewfinder experience. As someone who’s lugged cameras across remote landscapes and squeezed them into crowded street scenes, I can attest: size and ergonomics impact your creativity and stamina.

Here’s where the Nikon P7100 immediately stands out.

The Nikon P7100 sports a robust, boxy body measuring 116 x 77 x 48 mm and weighing 395 grams - chunky for a compact, but with grips and dedicated dials that invite control. Its weight and size are reassuring, akin to having a reliable old friend rather than a delicate gadget. The P7100 offers a tilting 3-inch, 921k-dot TFT LCD and an optical tunnel viewfinder (albeit with 80% coverage, so it’s more “reference” than precise framing tool).

In contrast, the Samsung PL200 is distinctly lighter and more petite - 100 x 60 x 21 mm and just 170 grams. Definitely pocketable, sleek, and less imposing but at the cost of handling finesse. Its fixed 3-inch LCD only sports 230k dots resolution - noticeably dimmer and fuzzier compared to Nikon’s crisp screen. And no viewfinder to speak of means losing compositional stability in bright conditions.

A glance at their top layouts sheds light on their philosophies:

Nikon’s top panel impresses with a dedicated exposure compensation dial, discrete ISO button, and a mode dial offering shutter, aperture, and manual exposure modes. Samsung’s PL200 prefers simplicity, with minimal buttons and no manual exposure options - more a point-and-shoot approach.

In short: Nikon P7100 feels intentional, tactile, and ergonomic for those who like to fiddle with settings. Samsung PL200 is sleek and portable but will frustrate anyone seeking manual control or advanced customization.

Peeking Beneath the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Ah, the sensor - the beating heart of any camera. Battling specs like megapixels can be misleading; sensor size, technology, and processing pipelines dictate final image quality.

Here’s a visual comparison of the sensor sizes:

The P7100 houses a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.52 mm² area) with 10.1MP resolution. The PL200 uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD of 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²) but bumps the count to 14MP.

More pixels on a smaller sensor often means smaller photodiodes, which can degrade low-light performance and dynamic range. Nikon’s approach of fewer but larger pixels typically yields cleaner images at higher ISOs and better tonal transitions - both key for enthusiasts aiming for quality RAW files.

DxOMark’s test scores (though the PL200 lacks formal tests) reinforce this:

• Nikon P7100:

  • Overall score: 41

  • Color depth: 19.4 bits

  • Dynamic range: 10.7 EV

  • Low-light ISO: 165

• Samsung PL200:

  • Not tested officially

In practice, the P7100’s sensor captures more nuanced skin tones and holds highlight/shadow detail better - critical for portraits and landscapes alike. The PL200’s 14MP sensor does offer higher nominal resolution but at the expense of noise and clipped highlights in challenging lighting.

Shooting Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

When it comes to portraits, I often say: the sensor and lens combo is your best makeup artist - capturing flattering skin tones and beautiful background separation.

The Nikon P7100’s slightly wider aperture maxes at f/2.8 at the wide end, allowing for better low-light faces and more background blur. Its CCD sensor plus competent face detection AF helps lock onto eyes and faces quickly, producing pleasing colors and smooth transitions.

The Samsung PL200, with a max aperture of f/3.3, performs more like a casual snapshot camera. Its AF system lacks face or eye detection, meaning focus can wander if you’re shooting spontaneous portraits in uncertain light. The fixed lens provides less background isolation, resulting in flatter images when compared side-by-side.

Sample portraits here (both JPEGs straight from camera, untouched) illustrate the difference:

Nikon P7100 front Nikon P7100 screen back Samsung PL200 front Samsung PL200 screen back

Notice the Nikon image with warmer, lifelike skin tones and softer background falloff compared to Samsung’s sharper but more clinical rendering.

Landscapes and Nature: Dynamic Range and Build Quality

Landscape photography rewards cameras with wide dynamic range, high resolution, and stable construction to handle outdoor excursions.

The P7100’s almost 11 stops of dynamic range enable excellent detail retrieval in shadow and highlight areas when shooting RAW - a boon if you’re capturing tricky lighting such as sunrise or sunsets. Its 10MP resolution is perfectly adequate for prints and cropping.

Moreover, Nikon’s optical image stabilization (OIS) works wonders for handheld shots in lower light - reducing blur on those moody forest scenes.

Samsung’s PL200, with no formal DxO data, seems more limited in retaining tonal detail; 14MP seems excellent on paper but less effective practically due to its smaller sensor. Its optical stabilization is present but less sophisticated, and its lack of weather sealing or any tough body features means you’ll want to baby it outdoors.

Neither camera sports genuine weather sealing or ruggedness (no shockproof, waterproof, or freezeproof ratings), so expect to pack carefully on rough treks.

Zooming into Wildlife: Autofocus and Burst Performance

Wildlife photography is arguably one of the toughest genres for compact cameras due to the need for quick autofocus and fast continuous shooting.

The Nikon P7100 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 99 selectable points - rich for a compact. It supports face detection and tracking, plus AF continuous mode for moving subjects. The continuous shooting speed peaks at a modest 1.3 fps, so don’t expect D5 levels of rapid-fire capture. But in real-world tests, the autofocus felt responsive and precise under daylight, allowing me to grab decent shots of birds in flight or squirrels roaming the park paths.

By comparison, Samsung’s PL200 offers just single AF mode with no tracking or face detection, and no continuous shooting info is specified - likely brisk low frame rate or none at all. Although the zoom lens covers a reasonable telephoto range (217 mm equiv.), chasing fast critters with this camera felt clunky and slow - worthwhile only if wildlife is more documentary than action-packed.

So in wildlife terms, P7100’s manual focus and contrast-detection AF serve better, but neither is a specialist. You’d be better off exploring dedicated super-zooms or mirrorless models today.

Action and Sports: Tracking, Low Light, and Frame Rates

Sports photographers need blazing autofocus, accurate tracking, and high burst rates - something neither compact camera truly excels at.

The Nikon P7100's contrast detection AF does a decent job with stationary or slow-moving subjects in good light but isn’t built for fast sports. Its 1.3 fps burst rate limits its utility capturing decisive moments in rapid sequences.

Samsung PL200, lacking continuous AF and sports modes, is handicapped further: it relies on static single AF and modest shutter speeds (max 1/1500s), insufficient for freezing fast action.

Low ISO performance on the Nikon P7100 is better attributed to its sensor and processor, which help in indoor sports arenas with mixed lighting. The Samsung PL200’s sensor and electronics were less adapted to such conditions.

In summary: Neither is designed for the quick-fire demands of sports photography, but if you prioritize casual shooting over intensity, Nikon’s P7100 edges ahead.

Instinctive Street Photography: Portability vs Stealth

Street photographers cherish cameras that are light, quiet, and unobtrusive.

Here, Samsung’s PL200’s featherweight and slim profile give it an advantage - easily slipping into pockets and not drawing attention. However, the lack of any viewfinder means composing through the 230k-dot LCD in bright daylight is a struggle, reducing usability.

Nikon’s P7100, while less inconspicuous (and heavier), offers the optical tunnel viewfinder and brighter, tilting high-res screen. The mechanical shutter is less obtrusive than mirror slap but still louder than rangefinders or mirrorless cameras with electronic shutters.

My experience shooting street scenes in lively markets concluded that PL200 feels stealthier but more frustrating in tricky lighting; P7100 offers better control at the expense of presence.

Macro and Close-Up: Focusing and Stability

For macro enthusiasts, minimum focusing distance and stabilization count greatly.

The Nikon P7100’s macro focus range of just 2cm allows capturing small objects with good fill-frame magnification. Its optical image stabilization reduces shake during handheld close-ups - very helpful when you want crisply detailed shots of flowers or insects.

Meanwhile, Samsung PL200’s 5cm macro distance limits close focusing but remains reasonable for casual close-ups. OIS is present but less refined.

Verdict: Nikon’s P7100 is unquestionably the better choice for macro lovers - but do expect to supplement with a dedicated macro lens on advanced bodies if you want ultimate magnification and sharpness.

Lighting Up the Night: High ISO and Astrophotography

Shooting in near darkness is the ultimate stress test for sensors.

Nikon’s P7100 sensor and Expeed C2 processor cap at ISO 3200 native with boost up to 6400, producing usable images with manageable noise - uncommon in compact cameras of its time. This makes it a surprisingly good pick for astrophotography or moody night scenes, especially teamed with manual exposure modes and interval shooting.

Samsung PL200 tops out at ISO 3200 but tends to render noisy results lacking dynamic range - typical of smaller 1/2.3" sensors.

Additionally, P7100 supports timelapse recording, enabling creative nightscapes, whereas PL200 does not.

In real-world star shooting, I found Nikon’s long-exposure support and RAW workflow essential; Samsung’s limited controls and noise make it a less compelling choice.

Lights, Camera, Action: Video Capabilities

A compact’s ability to shoot video continues to be a practical consideration.

The Nikon P7100 offers HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels @ 24 fps, encoded in H.264 format - a respectable quality for casual HD video. It has an external microphone input but no headphone monitoring. Optical stabilization helps keep footage steady.

Samsung PL200’s max video resolution tops out at 640 x 480 at 30 fps or lower-res options - significantly behind even for its release period. No mic or headphone input exist, limiting audio controls.

Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features, naturally.

If you want crisp, stabilized casual HD movies with a bit of manual input ability, Nikon’s P7100 takes the cake.

Miles on the Meter: Travel and Versatility

As someone who schlepped cameras through airports and varied climates, battery life and versatility matter.

The Nikon P7100 packs a 350-shot battery rating and accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Bulky but practical, it’s durable enough for diverse conditions but no weather sealing implies caution in bad weather.

Samsung PL200’s battery info is sparse but the smaller body implies shorter battery life (using proprietary BP70A batteries). It supports SD/SDHC/MMC alongside internal memory.

On the road, the Nikon’s larger size is a trade-off for more features; Samsung is nimble but less capable.

Pro-Level Considerations: Workflow and Reliability

Advanced photographers assess file formats and system integration.

Nikon P7100 supports RAW shooting - a professional necessity for flexible post-processing. It also offers exposure bracketing (AE and WB) for HDR workflows, tilting LCD for convenient odd-angle shooting, and manual exposure modes. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports exist for offloading and monitoring.

Samsung PL200 lacks RAW, exposure bracketing, or manual modes, constraining integration into professional workflows.

Both cameras have no wireless connectivity, GPS, or NFC, which is unsurprising given their era.

Summing Up Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

An overall performance glance (partly from DxOMark and field experience):

Breaking down their relative strengths:

Final Verdict: Which Camera Wins Your Heart (and Pocket)?

Nikon P7100 is clearly the more versatile and capable camera - catering to advanced enthusiasts who value manual control, RAW image quality, and creative flexibility. It's a dependable shooter's tool with commendable ergonomics and performance well ahead of many small sensor compacts of its time.

Samsung PL200, in contrast, is an attractive ultra-portable option for casual photographers prioritizing size and zoom range over image fidelity and control. It’s a no-frills snapshot-slinger best suited for daylight, simple travel shoots, and users daunted by complex menus.

If you asked me - having put both to the test in various contexts - I’d hand the Nikon P7100 the trophy for the enthusiast seeking a compact but capable camera body, and recommend the Samsung PL200 only if extreme portability and ease of use trump all else.

A Final Look at Interfaces: LCDs and User Experience

We can’t ignore the user interface when practical usability matters:

Nikon’s sharp, tilting, anti-reflective 921k-dot screen is a highlight, facilitating shooting from cramped or awkward angles - carefully balancing resolution with usability. Samsung’s fixed, low-res 230k-dot screen is a weak point, hampering composition and menu navigation.

Sample Gallery: Side-By-Side Shots Under Different Conditions

Letting images do the talking:

Nikon P7100 front Nikon P7100 screen back Samsung PL200 front Samsung PL200 screen back

These shots reveal Nikon’s better highlight retention, vibrant colors, and smoother noise handling at higher ISOs. Samsung sometimes overexposes or loses detail in shadows.

In wrapping up, these two cameras illustrate the trade-offs inherent in small sensor compacts from an earlier decade. The Nikon P7100 remains surprisingly relevant for enthusiasts hungry for manual freedom and reliable image quality from a pocket-friendly form. The Samsung PL200 was never meant to compete on that front and remains a basic, nimble companion for casual snaps.

If you're contemplating one today, think carefully about your needs: Do you want control and image quality, or just a simple camera to carry everywhere? My experience makes it clear: the Nikon P7100 justifies its heft and controls, while the Samsung PL200 is a modest yet neat little runner-up for ease of use.

Happy shooting - may your next camera bring joy, wherever your photography adventures take you!