Nikon S100 vs Panasonic Lumix TS25: A Hands-On Comparison for Compact Camera Buyers

Choosing the right compact camera can be tough given the myriad options available. Today, I’m diving deep into two interesting niche cameras - the Nikon Coolpix S100 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25 - both small-sensor compacts from a similar era but designed with different priorities. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, including countless compacts, I’m focusing on the real-world performance, usability, and imaging results these two models offer to help you decide which could suit your needs best.

Let’s begin by picturing these cameras side-by-side.

First Impressions: Build, Handling & Features

Nikon Coolpix S100

The Nikon S100 boasts a sleek, contemporary look with minimalist lines and a wonderfully bright 3.5-inch organic LED touchscreen, a notable highlight for a camera from 2011. Its slim profile (99x65x18 mm) and light weight (175 g) make it a comfortable fit for pocket or purse - ideal for travel or casual shooting. The Expeed C2 image processor handles image processing efficiently for its time.

Panasonic Lumix TS25

The Lumix TS25, by contrast, prioritizes ruggedness - it’s waterproof (up to 7 meters), shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof, ideal for adventurous users. It’s slightly bulkier (104x58x20 mm) but lighter at 144 g, and features a more modest 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen without touchscreen capabilities. Its smaller 4x zoom range and a more conservative max aperture reflect a design optimized for durability over image control flexibility.

The Nikon’s streamlined control pad and touchscreen vs Panasonic’s rugged buttons optimized for underwater or gloved use.

My Take on Ergonomics

In hands-on testing, the Nikon’s touchscreen is a pleasure for quick settings changes and framing, especially in portrait or street photography where rapid adjustments are common. The Panasonic’s tactile buttons, while less intuitive for me, provide better reliability in wet or harsh environments where touchscreens can falter.

Sensor and Image Quality: What Does the Small Sensor Deliver?

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor with 16 megapixels, typical of compact cameras from this era, but the sensor technology differs:

Nikon S100

• Sensor Type: CMOS
• Sensor area: 28.07 mm²
• ISO range: 125 to 3200
• Filter: Anti-aliasing

Panasonic TS25

• Sensor Type: CCD
• Sensor area: 27.72 mm²
• ISO range: 100 to 6400
• Filter: Anti-aliasing

The Nikon’s newer CMOS sensor with the Expeed C2 processor generally delivers better low-light performance and faster readout speed. Its max ISO of 3200 is reasonable for a compact, but noise tends to creep in beyond ISO 800 - in line with expectations for a sensor of this size.

The Panasonic’s CCD sensor offers respectable color rendition and detail at base ISO, but I found the noise floor rises earlier, especially beyond ISO 400–800, limiting its usefulness in dim lighting. Its max ISO of 6400 is more theoretical than practical in my experience, as images beyond 1600 become quite grainy.

Resolution & Detail

Both cameras provide a maximum 4608 x 3456 pixel image, which supplies enough detail for prints up to A3 size or cropping for social media. Nikon’s CMOS sensor combined with its processor edges ahead in sharpness and dynamic range in daylight and moderately lit scenes.

Autofocus Systems in Real World Use

Autofocus critically defines how easily you capture the moment, especially in portraits, wildlife, or sports.

Nikon S100

• Focus system: Contrast-detection AF with touch autofocus
• Face detection: Yes
• AF modes: Center, multi-area, face detection
• Continuous Shooting: 6 fps (quite brisk for a compact)

Panasonic TS25

• Focus system: Contrast-detection AF with 23 focus points
• Face detection: No
• AF modes: Center, multi-area
• Continuous Shooting: 1 fps (slow)

My Testing Notes

The Nikon’s touch AF, combined with face detection, felt impressively quick and accurate for a small sensor compact, especially in good light. This gives it an edge in portrait photography where eye and face focus accuracy are critical. In tracked subject shooting, I also observed less hunt and faster lock.

Panasonic’s autofocus is slower and less precise. The 23 AF points help somewhat for flexibility, but the lack of face detection means portraits require more care in composition and timing. Continuous shooting at 1 fps effectively limits action capture.

User Interface: Screens, Viewfinders, and Controls

No electronic viewfinders are present on either, a common compromise in compact cameras.

Nikon S100

• Screen: 3.5" AMOLED touchscreen, 820k dots resolution
• Touch interface allows easy focal point selection & menu navigation

Panasonic TS25

• Screen: 2.7" TFT LCD, 230k dots resolution
• No touchscreen; navigation via physical buttons only

The Nikon’s high-res OLED touchscreen is far superior for framing, reviewing images, and accessing settings. I found myself using the touchscreen to switch AF points instantly and adjust exposure quickly - a luxury the Panasonic does not provide.

Zoom, Macro, and Stabilization: How Flexible Are These Cameras?

Nikon S100

• Optical zoom: 5x (28-140mm equivalent)
• Macro: Focus down to 1cm - a real advantage for close-up detail
• Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)

Panasonic TS25

• Optical zoom: 4x (25-100mm equivalent)
• Macro: 5cm minimum focus distance
• Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization

The Nikon’s longer zoom and remarkably close macro focusing (1cm!) help in capturing fine details - be it a flower or a small object - for enthusiasts who value close-up versatility. The Panasonic’s macro performance is more limited, likely to be a constraint if you plan to shoot small subjects frequently.

Both have OIS, which is critical for hand-held shooting especially at telephoto ends or low shutter speeds. I noticed the Nikon’s OIS compensated marginally better during telephoto shots.

Performance in Different Photography Scenarios

Let’s assess each camera’s suitability across various photography types, drawing from my controlled tests and shooting experiences.

Portrait Photography

• Nikon S100: Wins here with effective face and eye detection AF, natural skin tones, and shallow depth of field options courtesy of longer zoom and macro-focus. The touchscreen AF lets you fine-tune quickly; images show pleasing bokeh even if lens speed is modest.
• Panasonic TS25: No face detection and slower AF make portraits less effortless. Skin tone rendering is decent but sometimes appears flat in mixed lighting. Bokeh is limited due to smaller max aperture.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon S100: Better dynamic range and daylight resolution with slightly richer colors and sharper detail. Not weather-sealed, so plan accordingly.
• Panasonic TS25: Rugged and waterproof, perfect for outdoors and wet environments. Lower resolution screen and limited dynamic range reduce framing flexibility, but if durability is key, this is your choice.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

• Nikon S100: Faster AF and continuous shooting at 6 fps give some ability to capture action and wildlife, though sensor size limits resolution on distant subjects.
• Panasonic TS25: 1 fps shooting and slower AF curtail sports and wildlife usability.

Street & Travel Photography

• Nikon S100: Compact, pocketable, touchscreen control, and sharp image quality suit street shooters well.
• Panasonic TS25: Slightly chunkier, but waterproof and shockproof make it ideal for adventure travel, hiking, and beach activities where device durability is prioritized over speed and detail.

Macro Photography

• Nikon S100: Outstanding close-focus ability allows detailed macro shots with edge-to-edge sharpness.
• Panasonic TS25: Macro limited to 5 cm, reducing fine detail capture options.

Night / Astro Photography

Neither camera excels here given sensor size and ISO constraints, but Nikon’s higher ISO limit and cleaner image output give it a marginal edge in low light.

Video Recording Capabilities

• Nikon S100: Full HD 1920x1080 at 30 fps with MPEG-4 & Motion JPEG formats; built-in stereo mic absent but video quality is relatively good for a compact. No microphone/headphone jacks.
• Panasonic TS25: 720p HD video at 30 fps, MPEG-4; simpler codec and resolution reflect a budget-oriented approach.

Neither camera targets videographers, but Nikon’s superior resolution and codec options help produce smoother and more usable footage for casual clips.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power

• Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot.
• Nikon supports USB 2.0 and HDMI output; Panasonic offers USB 2.0 only, no HDMI.
• No wireless or smartphone connectivity on either - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.
• Battery life: Panasonic significantly outperforms with 250 shots/charge versus Nikon’s 150 on EN-EL12 battery.

Environmental Durability: The Panasonic TS25’s Key Advantage

Nikon S100 front Nikon S100 screen back Panasonic TS25 front Panasonic TS25 screen back

The Lumix TS25 shines if your shooting style pushes your equipment into extreme conditions - waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof - features not present in the Nikon. For underwater snorkeling photos, rough trail hikes, or beach vacations, its ruggedness justifies compromises in image quality and interface.

Summarizing Strengths and Limitations

Who Should Consider Each Camera?

Buy the Nikon Coolpix S100 if you:

• Prioritize image quality and better handling.
• Want a vibrant, responsive touchscreen interface.
• Shoot portraits, macro, and casual street photography.
• Need Full HD video and faster burst shooting.
• Can handle carrying a less rugged but more refined compact.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix TS25 if you:

• Need a camera that withstands wet, dusty, or harsh environments.
• Want longer battery life and simple, reliable operation.
• Require a waterproof point-and-shoot for beach, pool, or snow use.
• Are okay with sacrificing autofocus speed and image detail for ruggedness.
• Seek an affordable budget-friendly camera for casual adventure photography.

Final Thoughts: Practical Advice from My Testing Experience

Both cameras are solid representatives of their classes - Nikon’s S100 embodies a well-rounded, stylish advanced compact, while Panasonic’s TS25 plays to a niche where durability takes precedence.

From pure image quality and usability perspectives, the Nikon shines. You get a more enjoyable shooting experience through its touchscreen, face detection, and sharper images - important for enthusiasts emphasizing image fidelity.

However, don’t discount the Panasonic’s value if your shooting environment is unpredictable or extreme. I recall shooting with a TS25 equivalent on snowy mountain treks and shallow snorkeling expeditions where it performed admirably, capturing memories without fear of damage.

Neither camera is aimed at professionals or those requiring RAW support or sophisticated manual controls. Both are best suited for enthusiasts or casual users valuing compact size and ease-of-use, each with its own strengths.

About This Review and Methodology

My conclusions stem from hands-on testing under varied lighting conditions and shooting styles, including indoor portrait sessions, outdoor landscape shoots, and dynamic street environments. By shooting side-by-side comparisons, reviewing image files on calibrated monitors, and field-testing the ergonomics and controls extensively, I ensured an in-depth and impartial evaluation.

Recommended Accessories to Maximize Your Experience

• For Nikon S100: Consider a protective soft case to guard the delicate touchscreen; carrying extra EN-EL12 batteries is advisable given the moderate battery life.
• For Panasonic TS25: A floating strap for underwater shoots and a sturdy carrying pouch complement its adventure-ready design.

If you want a compact, sharp, usable everyday shooter with a user-friendly touchscreen, go Nikon S100. If your priority is a weatherproof camera with long battery life for rugged outdoor use, the Panasonic TS25 is a solid companion.

Happy shooting, and be sure you’re buying the best camera for how and where you want to create!

Gallery of Sample Photos: Nikon S100 (left) vs Panasonic TS25 (right)

Nikon S100 front Nikon S100 screen back Panasonic TS25 front Panasonic TS25 screen back

Final Overall Ratings

Breakdown by Photography Type