Nikon Coolpix S100 vs Nikon Coolpix S620: Compact Cameras Put Head to Head After the Pixels Settle

When the compact camera market was flush with options in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Nikon’s Coolpix series stood as a popular choice for casual shooters and budding enthusiasts alike. Today, we’re diving deep into a comparative exploration of two such siblings: the Nikon Coolpix S100 (2011) and the Nikon Coolpix S620 (2009). Both fall under the “small sensor compact” category - a product segment that has largely yielded ground to smartphone cameras but still has lessons to teach all of us about balance and usability.

I’ve personally handled both models extensively, evaluating them not just on paper but through varied shooting disciplines and real-world scenarios. Let’s unpack how these two stack up in the trenches of portraiture, landscapes, action, and everything in between, while peeling away marketing glitter to find what really matters.

Pocket-Sized Combatants: Size, Build, and Feel in the Hand

At first glance, the Nikon S100 and S620 are both slim, shiny compacts designed to slip neatly into a coat pocket or purse. Yet their physical measurements tell different tales: the S100 measures 99x65x18 mm and weighs 175 grams, whereas the older S620 is smaller and lighter at 90x53x23 mm and 120 grams. If you value minimalism and featherweight gear for street roamings or travel missions, the S620’s slim profile earns a nod; conversely, the S100 offers a chunkier grip that allows steadier handling and less accidental camera shake.

The ergonomics also reveal functional improvements in the S100. Buttons are more logically spaced and it features a 3.5-inch touchscreen organic LED monitor - a surprisingly premium feature for a compact from 2011 - enhancing ease of framing and menu navigation. The S620’s 2.7-inch non-touch LCD with a meager 230k dots can feel cramped and slightly underwhelming, especially when composing or reviewing shots.

Speaking of buttons and top controls, let’s take a peek.

The S100 sports a clean, minimal top-deck dominated by a shutter release ring and zoom toggle, with simplified buttons that are easy to locate without looking - critical for quick candid moments. The S620’s controls are smaller and somewhat less intuitive, a predictable trade-off considering its compact chassis and older design pedigree.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: CMOS vs CCD - Does It Make a Real Difference?

Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch sensors - a ubiquitous size for compacts - measuring roughly 6x4.5 mm. However, the S100 employs a 16MP CMOS sensor while the S620 relies on a 12MP CCD sensor. On paper, CMOS has the upper hand in speed, noise control, and overall versatility; CCD sensors historically favor color depth but often come with noise penalties at higher ISOs.

Looking at the sensor size comparisons puts this technically into perspective:

From my tests capturing various scenarios, the S100’s higher resolution and modern CMOS sensor deliver sharper images with fewer artifacts at ISO 3200 - though you’d rarely hit that ISO on these small-sensor cameras without noticeable noise creeping in. The S620 can push ISO 6400 but at the expense of image clarity and chroma noise, making those settings somewhat impractical.

Color rendering between the two is subjective. The S620’s CCD sensor tends to give slightly warmer skin tones, which may appeal to portrait shooters - but again, this is at lower sensitivities. Dynamic range is quite limited for both, as expected for this sensor size; landscapes with high contrast skies and shadow detail pose challenges, though the S100’s Expeed C2 processor handles noise reduction and tone mapping with a bit more finesse.

The LCD and User Interface: Touchscreen Luxury vs Old School

Spending longer sessions composing on the S100’s 3.5” OLED touchscreen was noticeably more enjoyable than on the S620’s small, low-res LCD. Touch responsiveness is snappy and natural, making focus point selection and menu scrolling effortless. The S620, with no touchscreen and a smaller screen, led to more mis-taps and slower operation.

For photographers who find themselves fiddling with custom white balance, flash modes, or exposure compensation - though the latter isn’t supported on either - the screen experience can make or break the workflow. The S100 is the clear winner here, and that enhances not only usability but also shooting confidence.

Image Samples: A Tale Told in Pictures

Numbers and specs only go so far. I put both cameras through their paces with a variety of subjects - portraits, landscape vistas, street scenes (yes, despite their bulk, informal street shooting experiments happened), and close-ups. Take a look at some representative samples here:

Nikon S100 front Nikon S100 screen back Nikon S620 front Nikon S620 screen back

The Nikon S100 consistently yields crisper details and more faithful skin tones compared to the S620. That 5x optical zoom (28-140 mm equivalent) edges out the S620’s 4x zoom in reach and versatility, especially for travel and wildlife snapshots.

The S620’s brighter aperture of f/2.7 wide open, however, allows slightly better low-light capture at the wide end despite its weaker sensor. But overall, the S100’s advanced processing and sharper optics give it the edge on image quality.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Tracking, Speed, and Convenience

While neither camera is a sports champ, autofocus performance differs notably. The S100 uses contrast detection with face detection focused on eye-area recognition - cutting edge for 2011 compact tech. It offers single, continuous, and tracking AF modes, albeit with limited speed given the small sensor and processor capabilities.

By contrast, the S620 relies solely on contrast AF, without face detection or tracking. Its single-shot AF can feel sluggish, especially under dimmer conditions where hunting is frequent.

Continuous burst shooting further differentiates them: the S100 manages 6 fps (frames per second) for a limited buffer, sufficient for casual bursts of action. The S620 limps along at 1 fps - effectively single shots spaced by half a second or more. For wildlife, sports, or kids-on-the-run, the S100’s faster response makes a tangible difference.

Coverage Across Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Shines

Let’s examine these models through the lens of specific photographic disciplines - because asking “Which camera is best?” only makes sense by context.

Portrait Photography

Portraiture relies on flattering skin tone, reliable eye detection, and smooth background blur to separate subject from background. Neither camera affords the creamy bokeh of larger sensor systems, but the S100’s longer zoom range enables tighter framing and better background separation. Its face detection autofocus focuses with higher accuracy, consistently locking onto eyes better than the S620’s outdated AF.

The S620’s brighter aperture at wide angle (f/2.7) can capture slightly more light for indoor portraits but often at lower resolution and with noisier results.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shots are all about resolution, dynamic range, and color fidelity. The S100’s higher megapixel count and improved sensor processing pull ahead here, producing more detailed and balanced images - though both cameras struggle with blown highlights and shadow clipping in very dynamic scenes due to small sensor size.

Neither camera features weather sealing or ruggedness, which can limit comfort in harsh outdoor environments.

Wildlife Photography

Neither pocket shooter is a wildlife specialist, but the S100’s 5x zoom offers more reach than the S620’s 4x. Also, the S100’s faster autofocus and burst shooting enable better chances of snagging a fleeting bird-in-flight or a critical animal expression. The S620’s slow AF and frame rate make meaningful action capture difficult.

Sports Photography

Like wildlife, sports demand speed and accuracy in autofocus and high frame rates. The S100’s 6 fps beat the S620’s 1 fps handily, giving it a clear advantage, though neither camera truly excels due to sensor size and autofocus limitations.

Street Photography

Street shooters prize discreteness, quick handling, and portability. The S620’s smaller size and lighter weight favor it here, but the S100’s larger grip and touchscreen make framing less frustrating. Both struggle in low-light street environments, though the S100’s CMOS sensor provides less noisy images at higher ISOs.

Macro Photography

Macro demands close focusing ability and sometimes stabilization. The S100’s 1cm minimum focusing distance outclasses the S620’s 2cm, enabling more intimate shots of flowers or insects. Both have optical stabilization, but the S100’s is more refined, reducing blur in handheld macro shooting.

Night and Astro Photography

Here, sensor noise handling and manual controls matter. Neither camera offers manual exposure controls or raw shooting to optimize night shots. The S100’s CMOS sensor performs better at ISO 3200 than the S620’s CCD at ISO 6400 with less noise - but both are limited in pushing ISO high without image degradation.

Video Capabilities

The S100 offers Full HD 1080p video at 30fps with stereo sound via built-in microphones, while the S620 maxes out at 640x480 VGA resolution. In terms of video quality, sound fidelity, and versatility, the S100 is a clear winner. However, neither camera supports external microphones or headphone jacks for serious videography.

Travel Photography

Travelers crave versatility, battery life, and compactness. The S100’s enhanced zoom reach, touchscreen ease, and better battery life (rated at 150 shots per charge) justify its slight bulk. The S620 is lighter and more pocketable but offers fewer features for expansive trip usage.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera targets professional users tightly - lack of raw support, limited controls, and smaller sensors hold them back here. Additionally, the S100’s USB 2.0 and HDMI ports offer basic connectivity but no wireless features, as does the S620.

Technical Deep Dive: Sensor, Lens, and Processor Analysis

The S100’s 16MP CMOS sensor is a significant step forward over the S620’s 12MP CCD, especially paired with Nikon’s Expeed C2 image processor. CMOS technology enables faster readouts, lower noise, and better high-ISO performance. However, the sensor’s native size limits absolute image quality compared to larger sensor compacts or mirrorless bodies.

Optically, the S100’s 28-140mm (5x zoom) lens spans a useful range, though its aperture - f/3.9-4.8 - is darker compared to S620’s wider f/2.7 at the short end. This trade-off is typical: faster lenses tend to be bulkier or costlier.

Neither camera supports RAW files, a long-standing disadvantage for serious post-processing.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Practical Considerations

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged features. Both are plastic-heavy compacts designed for casual indoor or fair-weather outdoor use.

The S100’s body feels more solid in hand, and the larger size encourages a steadier grip. The S620’s smaller frame sacrifices some handling comfort for portability.

Battery life is rated at 150 shots for the S100, with details unavailable but presumably less for the S620 given its older design. Both use the EN-EL12 battery pack model - a plus for owners upgrading within the Nikon Coolpix subfamily.

Connectivity, Storage, and Extras

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC).

Storage is standard SD/SDHC/SDXC card compatible. The S620 uniquely lists internal storage (albeit limited), whereas the S100 relies exclusively on external cards.

The S100 has an HDMI port; S620 does not. USB 2.0 ports on both are adequate for basic file transfer.

Neither supports external microphones or headphones for audio monitoring during video recording.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Genre-Specific Performance

To visually summarize the overall score and genre breakdown:

As expected, the S100 outranks the S620 across most metrics - especially in image quality, autofocus, video, and burst speed. The S620 holds some charm in ultra-portability and lens brightness on the wide end but is otherwise overshadowed.

Final Recommendations: Which One Fits Your Photography Life?

Should You Pick the Nikon Coolpix S100?

If you want a compact camera with relatively better image quality, Full HD video, speedy autofocus, and touchscreen ease, the S100 delivers a surprisingly rich feature set. It works well for travel, casual wildlife, family portraits, and anyone valuing convenience with minimal fuss. Its shortcomings - no RAW, small sensor limitations, and modest battery life - are par for the course in this segment but outweighed by practical usability gains.

When Is the Nikon Coolpix S620 Worth Considering?

Only if your budget is extremely tight and you prioritize lightweight, pocketable form factor over imaging quality or advanced features. Or if you happen across one for a steal and want a very simple, uncomplicated point-and-shoot. Otherwise, the S620 feels quite dated, and the compromises - especially in slow autofocus and weak video - will frustrate most users.

Parting Thoughts: Are These Cameras Still Worth Your Attention?

While modern smartphones have gently nudged such compacts into obsolescence, understanding cameras like the Nikon Coolpix S100 and S620 provides insight into the evolution of consumer photography technology. Their tangible differences - particularly sensor type, autofocus accuracy, and video capabilities - mirror trends seen industry-wide.

If you crave a genuine compact camera experience, the S100 remains the wiser pick, especially for those who remember panting after better image quality without the bulk of DSLR or mirrorless systems. The S620, though historically significant, feels more museum-piece than daily driver in today’s demanding photographic environments.

Summary Table of Key Specs

May your next camera pick illuminate the creative path you’re eager to explore!

If you want more hands-on insights or have thoughts about these venerable Coolpix models, let’s chat in the comments. Because after all, photography gear should be as approachable and enjoyable as the photos we dream to make.