Nikon Coolpix S01 vs Sony Cyber-shot TX55: A Hands-On Comparative Exploration of Ultracompact Cameras

Choosing a pocket-friendly ultracompact camera can be deceptively complex given the nuanced trade-offs across sensor performance, ergonomics, and feature depth. Today, I’ll take you through an informed, side-by-side examination of two intriguing models from different ends of the early 2010s ultracompact spectrum: the Nikon Coolpix S01 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55. Both tout portability and simplicity, but meet very different user demands and expectations.

Drawing on extensive hands-on testing, sensor analysis, and real-world usability trials, I’ll dissect how these two cameras fare not just on paper but across a broad array of photographic disciplines - portraiture, landscape, wildlife, sports, and more - wrapping up with scenario-based recommendations tailored to diverse shooter profiles.

Let’s dive in.

Pocket-Sized Proportions: Handling and Ergonomics

When I pull either camera from a pocket or bag, size speaks volumes about intended use.

The Nikon S01 lives up to its “ultracompact” billing with an ultra-tiny 77x52x17mm footprint, weighing a mere 96 grams. It’s so minuscule it almost vanishes in hand - ideal if absolute portability is your priority. The toss-in-the-wallet approach feels natural, though I found that the scaled-back control set and absence of physical buttons limits my tactile control and confidence in fast shooting scenarios.

Conversely, Sony’s TX55 is a slightly larger yet still truly pocketable 93x54x13mm, tipping the scales marginally heavier at 109 grams. The added bulk brings a clearer payoff: a more substantial grip shape and a larger, bright touchscreen that significantly improves composition and navigation speed. The layout feels less cramped and less fiddly than the Nikon.

From a design perspective, the Nikon aims for minimalist allure - there’s a touchscreen, but basic controls abound. The Sony manages to blend touchscreen capabilities with some physical buttons and a calmer overall interface flow. It’s not for advanced manual shooters, but it provides a better balance for novices who want simple shooting modes with intuitive access.

In real-world shoots, the Sony’s ergonomics translate to less fumbling during quick shots - a tangible advantage if street or travel photography is your calling. The Nikon, playful as a novelty for casual snaps, feels more like a "point, shoot, and forget" gadget.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality - More Than Pixels

Image quality is arguably the heart of the matter.

The S01’s sensor is a 1/2.9-inch CCD delivering 10 megapixels, while the Sony TX55 boasts a larger 1/2.3-inch backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor at 16 megapixels. These technical specifications reveal immediate differences:

• Sensor Size and Type: The Sony’s larger sensor captures more light per pixel, aided by BSI technology which markedly improves low-light sensitivity and readout efficiency. The Nikon’s CCD technology, while fine for its era, inherently suffers from slower performance and lower noise efficiency.

• Resolution: 10MP on the Nikon is passable for casual sharing and prints up to 8x10 inches but limits cropping flexibility. Sony’s 16MP gives more wiggle room for enlargements and tighter framing.

• ISO Range: Nikon caps at ISO 1600 native, while Sony extends to ISO 3200, which theoretically broadens low-light capabilities.

In shooting tests under varied lighting (overcast cityscapes, dim cafes, evening parks), the Sony consistently produces cleaner images with better detail retention. Noise artifacts become bothersome on the Nikon at anything above ISO 400 from my experience.

Dynamic range differences are evident too, with the Sony’s sensor handling highlights and shadows more gracefully. This matters most in landscapes, where shadow detail and bright skies demand sensor latitude.

Viewing and Interface: Touchscreens and Usability

Both cameras rely on LCDs for composing images - no viewfinders on either side.

Nikon’s S01 features a modest 2.5-inch TFT LCD with a low 230k-dot resolution. This screen feels dated in crispness and responsiveness, often making it challenging to check focus or fine details on final shots. The touchscreen is present but rudimentary, limited in responsiveness compared to modern standards.

The Sony TX55 walks a stronger path with its 3.3-inch XtraFine OLED touchscreen displaying a vibrant 1230k-dot resolution. The image preview is sharp, bright, and responsive to touch commands, which speeds up framing adjustments and menu browsing. This is an advantage for anyone who prefers composing fluidly rather than through fiddly buttons.

The Sony interface extends options with customizable white balance and exposure aids - features not available on the Nikon.

Bottom line: for long shoots or reviewing critical details in the field, the Sony’s screen is a significant usability upgrade.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

The Nikon S01 simplifies autofocusing with contrast-detection but notably lacks multiple AF modes, face detection, or tracking. In practice, this means AF can be sluggish, especially under low contrast or low light. It’s strictly a static focus approach, requiring subjects to stand still for sharp captures.

Sony’s TX55, meanwhile, integrates a nine-point contrast-detection AF system with center-weighted metering and continuous live view. Face detection is absent in this model, but autofocus is noticeably more responsive and accurate across a range of scenarios. It even allows manual focus - rare in its class and era - which adds creative control when needed.

Continuous shooting capacity is another arena where Sony outshines Nikon: up to 10 frames per second vs. Nikon’s absence of burst mode altogether. For action, wildlife, or sports applications, this is a huge differentiator.

Exploring Various Photography Disciplines Through These Cameras

Portrait Photography

When shooting portraits, “skin tone accuracy” and bokeh quality often define results.

Both cameras fall short for portrait pros: neither supports RAW, so image manipulation options post-capture are limited. The Nikon’s 29-87mm (equivalent) lens with F3.3-5.9 aperture cannot produce particularly creamy background blur. The Sony’s slightly larger zoom range (26-130mm equivalent) and brighter aperture (F3.5-4.8) give a marginal edge, but bokeh quality is still modest given sensor size constraints.

In field tests, neither camera offers eye-detection AF or advanced face recognition. The Sony's multi-point AF system provides better focus accuracy on faces, while Nikon struggles, often misfocusing in tricky lighting.

In low light portraits, Sony's image stabilization and better sensor performance improve probability of usable shots, albeit neither camera is low-light portrait workhorse material.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and lens quality come into focus.

Sony’s 16MP sensor paired with a wider dynamic range offers more flexibility for handheld daytime landscapes. The 5x zoom covers a wide 26mm focal length (equivalent), useful for sweeping vistas. Nikon’s narrower zoom (3x starting at 29mm equivalent) slightly limits composition choices.

Landscape shooters will appreciate Sony’s higher resolution files which yield better prints and cropping latitude. Both cameras’ small sensors limit ultimate image quality compared to mirrorless or DSLR options, but the Sony has a clear advantage here.

Neither camera is weather sealed, which curtails rugged outdoor use. For controlled sightseeing or urban landscapes, both are adequate.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, burst shooting, and telephoto reach define performance here.

Nikon’s S01 mostly comes up short:

• No continuous AF or tracking makes following animals or athletes tough.
• Lack of burst mode means you lose the chance to capture critical action moments.
• Zoom tops at 87mm equivalent - insufficient for distant wildlife.

Sony’s TX55 fares better:

• 10fps burst mode can catch split-second sports action.
• 130mm equivalent telephoto helps with distant subjects.
• Optical image stabilization improves sharpness when handheld at long focal lengths.

Still, neither camera is designed to replace enthusiast or professional APS-C or full-frame sport/wildlife shooters, but Sony is the unquestionably more capable entry-level super-compact for casual shutterbugs targeting these categories.

Street Photography

The perfect street shooter is discreet, quick, and inconspicuous. Here, ultra-compact form factors shine.

The Nikon’s tiny size and light weight make it ultra-unobtrusive, suited for candid shots. However, slower AF and limited controls hinder fast reaction.

Sony, larger but still pocketable, offsets this with quicker AF and silent operation modes (in video at least). The OLED screen aids quick framing in dynamic street environments. Yet, the bigger size might attract a glance or two.

Neither camera offers manual exposure modes, so dynamic lighting changes are handled automatically - good for casual shooting but limiting for expressive street work.

Macro Photography

Close-focus capabilities and image stabilization matter here.

Nikon offers a minimal 5cm macro focusing range but no image stabilization. This makes handholding challenging at close range and results in less sharp shots under natural light.

Sony’s 3cm macro minimum focus is more versatile, combined with optical image stabilization that smooths handheld macro shooting. The ability to manually focus is a notable asset in macro work where AF can be finicky.

Sony clearly wins for macro enthusiasts seeking convenient close-ups from a pocket beast.

Night and Astrophotography

These specialties test ISO performance, long-exposure stability, and sensor noise.

Neither camera is tailored to night sky shooting. The Nikon’s max ISO of 1600 and CCD sensor produce heavy noise at high ISO. The Sony reaches ISO 3200 and combines its larger sensor and BSI design to deliver cleaner images at higher sensitivities.

Still, long exposures are limited by Nikon’s max 1/2000s shutter speed and Sony’s 30s max shutter. Neither supports RAW files for noise reduction workflows. Only Sony offers an advantage of optical image stabilization, but this helps more with handheld low-light than astrophotography.

In short, these cameras are better suited for casual night scenes rather than serious starfield photography.

Video Capabilities

Video prowess can be decisive for many buyers.

Nikon S01 shoots 720p at 30fps with limited manual controls or connectivity. It lacks external mic input or image stabilization, resulting in modest video quality and shaky handheld clips.

Sony steps up with 1080p full HD video at 60fps, optical image stabilization, and AVCHD/MPEG4 formats. HDMI output allows for external display, and Eye-Fi compatibility facilitates wireless media transfer.

The TX55’s video is more versatile and vibrant, suitable for casual content creators aiming for better quality clips in a compact form.

Travel Photography

Travel demands all-round versatility, good battery life, compactness, and reliability.

Nikon S01 front Nikon S01 screen back Sony TX55 front Sony TX55 screen back

Sony’s broader focal range, better sensor, superior LCD, and longer battery life (250 shots vs 190 for Nikon) make it a more reliable travel companion than the Nikon S01.

Nikon sacrifices versatility for extreme compactness. If you crave a true “always-bring” backup camera in your pocket, it fits the bill but with limited creative control.

For day-to-day travel shoots requiring flexibility and quality, Sony’s package is more compelling despite its higher price (~$350 vs $170).

Professional Workflow and Expansion

Neither camera suits demanding professional pipelines due to fixed lenses, no RAW support, and lack of robust connectivity.

Sony’s compatibility with microSD and Memory Stick Micro cards is practical but standard fare. Nikon uses no removable media; it relies on USB downloads.

No weather sealing or ruggedization exists on either - keep that in mind for jobs in harsh environments.

Assessing Build and Reliability

Both cameras are plastic-bodied with no special environmental protections. Handling care is required.

Sony’s slightly lighter weight and robust screen technology feel more resistant to wear. Nikon’s built-in battery saves space but precludes quick swaps - a dealbreaker on extended trips.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Sony offers basic wireless Eye-Fi support and HDMI out, enhancing media workflow. Nikon’s total lack of wireless and minimal USB integration limit file transfer ease.

Price to Performance Ratio

Nikon S01’s $170 price targets budget users or collectors seeking pure pocketability with image quality concessions. The Sony TX55’s $350 price reflects added sensor tech, stabilization, zoom reach, and video capabilities.

Value depends on your priorities: compact novelty vs. versatile utility.

Summing Up Performance Scores

Sony TX55 leads overall, with better image quality, shooting speed, features, and interface usability.

Nikon S01 trails in almost every metric but earns points for ultra-portability.

Genre-Specific Strengths and Weaknesses

• Portraits: Sony for better AF and image detail
• Landscapes: Sony for dynamic range and resolution
• Wildlife/Sports: Sony for burst and telephoto range
• Street: Nikon for stealth, Sony for responsiveness
• Macro: Sony for closer focus and stabilization
• Night: Sony for cleaner high ISO images
• Video: Sony for HD, stabilization, formats
• Travel: Sony for versatility and battery life
• Professional: Neither ideal - entry-level casual use only

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Nikon S01 if:

• You desire the smallest possible camera for ultra-light travel or casual use.
• You value simplicity over performance or creative control.
• Your budget is tight and image quality is a secondary concern.
• Your photography involves snapshots in well-lit conditions.

Choose the Sony TX55 if:

• You want the best image quality achievable in an ultracompact form.
• You need better video options and longer battery life.
• You shoot portraits, travel, macro, or casual sports events.
• You appreciate a more intuitive touchscreen and faster autofocus.
• Your budget allows for a $350 investment in a higher-spec compact.

Both Nikon Coolpix S01 and Sony Cyber-shot TX55 exemplify early 2010s ultracompact thinking, trading off complexity for size differently. From my extensive testing, Sony’s TX55 is overall the more capable, flexible, and future-proof device. Yet the Nikon S01 remains an interesting pocketable oddity for specialized minimalists.

I hope this deep dive helps you make a confident choice tailored to your photographic path.

Happy shooting!