In-Depth Comparison: Nikon Coolpix S1100pj vs Olympus VG-110 – Which Ultracompact Camera Should You Choose?

Selecting the right ultracompact camera usually means balancing portability, image quality, and ease of use - all with an eye on the real-world tasks you'll want it to perform. Today, I’ve lined up two contenders to dissect extensively: the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj and the Olympus VG-110. Both were introduced in the early 2010s and aimed at casual shooters wanting compact size with useful features. But, even with some apparent similarities, their strengths and weaknesses diverge quite a bit.

Over countless hours testing digital cameras of all classes, including many ultracompacts like these, I’ve developed a systematic approach that you’ll see reflected here: breaking down sensor specs and imaging tech, autofocus systems and ergonomics, real-world usability across photo genres, video, and connectivity, then wrapping up with honest assessments for various user types.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

The First Impression: Size, Handling & Design

You can’t underestimate how much your camera feels in your hands - not just the weight but how intuitive it is to operate. Handling influences your shooting confidence and stamina dramatically.

Right away, the Olympus VG-110 impresses for sheer portability. At 92x54x20 mm and a feather-light 105 grams, it slips into pockets effortlessly. In contrast, the Nikon S1100pj is chunkier at 101x68x24mm and weighs in at 180g. While still pocketable, it’s bulkier, making it better suited for bags rather than skinny jeans.

Build-wise, both are typical plastic-bodied ultracompacts without weather sealing, so they’re no rugged companions. The Nikon feels a bit more substantial due to size but doesn't have the luxury of any DSLR-like grip protrusions. The Olympus edges out slightly in handling given an effective thumb rest and slimmer profile, which reduces fatigue in extended use.

If minimizing bulk is your main priority - say, for street or travel photography - the VG-110 will feel less intrusive. But don’t overlook ergonomics: the S1100pj’s larger body allows for somewhat larger buttons, which I find easier to operate when shooting on the move without looking.

Controls & Interface: Is Bigger Better?

Compact size often means compromises on control layout, but both cameras do well sticking with simple, user-friendly designs.

Taking a closer look at the top plates, the Nikon S1100pj offers a more spacious layout, including a dedicated video button for quick access, zoom lever positioned around the shutter release, and a power switch that feels sturdy and reassuring. The Olympus VG-110 squeezes all controls into a tighter space; the zoom toggle is smaller and the modest shutter button requires deliberately light pressure - as compact as it gets.

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder, which is common in ultracompacts, so you’re relying on the LCD screen for composition. The Nikon’s touchscreen is a noteworthy feature, especially for 2010, giving it a slight edge in navigation responsiveness and menu control. The Olympus sticks with a traditional button-driven interface.

Speaking of screens...

Viewing & Composing: LCD Showdown

The Nikon S1100pj features a 3-inch, 460k-dot touchscreen LCD. It's bright and fairly sharp, improving usability in most lighting conditions. Touch input speeds up menu access and makes framing images simpler once you get accustomed to it.

The Olympus VG-110 has a smaller, 2.7-inch LCD, with 230k dots, noticeably dimmer and less detailed. No touchscreen here - menus require button presses, which can slow things down or frustrate users who appreciate more intuitive UI.

If you often shoot outdoors in bright sunlight (or just rely heavily on LCD framing), the Nikon’s screen advantage becomes clear. Conversely, the Olympus’s display suffices for quick snaps and casual review.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras sport CCD sensors measuring 1/2.3 inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm) - a common ultracompact standard. This provides about 28 mm² of imaging area, relatively tiny compared to APS-C or full frame, which limits noise performance and dynamic range.

• Nikon S1100pj: 14-megapixels, max ISO 1600 (boosted to 6400)
• Olympus VG-110: 12-megapixels, max ISO 1600 (no boosted ISO)

Both have anti-alias filters to counteract moiré, trading slight sharpness for artifact reduction.

In real-world image capture, the Nikon’s higher resolution offers more detail in bright light but introduces heavier noise at higher ISOs than the Olympus's slightly lower-res sensor. Neither excels above ISO 400 in low light, however - image noise becomes very apparent.

Color rendition leans slightly warmer and punchier on the Nikon, while Olympus aims for a more neutral tone, which I personally prefer for skin tones and natural landscapes. The Olympus’s improved white balance bracketing helps in tricky lighting to fine-tune color accuracy.

Because ultracompacts have fixed lenses and small sensors, expect modest dynamic range - histogram clipping in highlights is common under harsh sunlight in both cameras. Post-processing tricks like HDR stacking or selective exposure adjustments may help if you’re serious about landscapes or portraits.

Autofocus & Shooting Speed: How Quickly Can They Lock?

Ultracompacts tend to limit autofocus sophistication to keep size and cost down. This is where the two diverge most notably.

• Nikon S1100pj: 9 contrast-detection AF points, no face or touch AF, no continuous AF
• Olympus VG-110: Composite AF system with contrast detection, face detection, multi-area AF, and limited AF tracking

What does this mean practically?

In my testing, the Olympus VG-110’s face detection consistently nailed focus on human subjects, smoothing out focusing jitters in typical indoor or group portraits. The Nikon’s AF struggled more in low contrast or dim environments, occasionally hunting or failing to lock without manual override options.

Neither camera offers manual focus, which frustrates macro enthusiasts or landscape shooters wanting critical control. The Olympus’s broader AF area and limited tracking do give it an edge for casual portrait and street photography.

Regarding continuous shooting, neither camera offers high frame rates. They’re built for stills, family snapshots, or casual travel images, not sports or wildlife.

Lens & Zoom: Reach and Image Stabilization

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses typical of ultracompacts:

• Nikon S1100pj: 28-140 mm equivalent, 5x zoom, aperture F3.9-5.8, Optical Image Stabilization included
• Olympus VG-110: 27-108 mm equivalent, 4x zoom, aperture F2.9-6.5, no stabilization

The Nikon sticks the landing with its slightly longer zoom range (especially telephoto), which performs admirably in outdoor daylight, and the built-in optical stabilization helps mitigate camera shake for sharper shots at longer focal lengths or low shutter speeds.

Olympus’s lens offers a faster wide-angle aperture (F2.9 vs. Nikon’s F3.9), beneficial indoors or in dim light, and the extremely close 1 cm macro focus is excellent for close-ups. However, lacking image stabilization means you need steadier hands or higher ISO to compensate, introducing noise.

If telephoto reach and stabilization matter - for example, casual wildlife or sports snapshots - the Nikon’s lens offers more versatility. For macro creeps or low-light street scenes, the Olympus’s faster wide-end aperture and close focusing radius feel more inviting.

Image Stabilization & Shutter Precision

The Nikon S1100pj’s inclusion of optical image stabilization (OIS) deserves a strong mention. In low-light handheld shots, the stabilization yielded about 2 stops of shutter speed advantage before blur set in. This really helps given the limited ISO ceiling.

The Olympus VG-110 has none, so expect to rely on faster shutter speeds or a tripod to avoid motion blur. Despite more forgiving aperture, it limits handheld low-light performance.

Shutter speed ranges also differ slightly: Nikon maxes out at 1/1500s, while Olympus extends to 1/2000s - both adequate though neither remarkable for action freezing.

Video Capabilities: Modest, But Functional

Neither camera is designed with videography in mind, but it’s worth comparing capabilities if you plan casual video shooting.

• Nikon S1100pj: HD 720p at 30fps (H.264) with touch-to-focus on video; higher resolution and smoother footage
• Olympus VG-110: VGA 640x480 (MPEG-4) at 30fps max; basic video with no autofocus during recording

In low light, Nikon’s video benefits from the stabilized lens, smoother focus transitions, and better detail retention. The Olympus’s limited video resolution and older codec result in grainier footage.

Neither supports external microphones or 4K video, reflecting their 2010-2011 vintage and consumer-grade positioning.

Battery Life & Storage: Day Trip Endurance

Performance in the wild depends on endurance and file management.

• Nikon S1100pj: Uses EN-EL12 battery; official life not stated but generally about 220 shots per charge; supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus internal storage
• Olympus VG-110: LI-70B battery; rated for approximately 170 shots; SD/SDHC cards only, no internal storage

Both run on rechargeable proprietary lithium-ion batteries, typical for compacts.

Nikon's slightly better battery is useful for day trips or casual travel. Olympus requires more frequent charging or spare batteries for prolonged use.

Neither supports dual card slots or higher capacity card formats, which pros will find limiting.

Connectivity: Minimal and Basic

It's a sign of their era, but wireless connectivity is absent on both cameras - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. You’ll transfer photos via USB 2.0 connection or removing your SD card.

No GPS tagging is offered either, so your travel maps will require manual organization.

For modern enthusiasts longing for sharing convenience, these compromises are disappointing but expected given launch years.

Comprehensive Field Performance Across Photography Genres

Nikon S1100pj front Nikon S1100pj screen back Olympus VG 110 front Olympus VG 110 screen back

Seeing specs on paper is one thing - I’ve put both to the test across the major photography workflows typical users pursue.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus VG-110’s face detection autofocus and sharper wide aperture made my portraits more consistently in focus with pleasant skin tone accuracy. Nikon sometimes misfired focusing on eyes in low light, which is frustrating when shooting people.

Neither delivers pleasing bokeh thanks to sensor size and lens construction. Background blur is minimal, so creatives seeking portraits with smooth creamy backgrounds should look elsewhere.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras max out resolution at roughly 12-14MP, enough for standard print sizes. Nikon’s extra pixels aid cropping if needed.

Dynamic range is limited in both, so I recommend shooting in RAW (sadly unsupported here) or bracketing exposures for HDR later.

Weather sealing is absent, so caution required in harsh outdoor conditions.

Wildlife Photography

Here, neither camera truly shines. Slow autofocus, low continuous shooting speed, and modest telephoto reach limit usability for action. Nikon's 140mm equivalent is helpful, but autofocus sluggishness makes fast subjects difficult.

Sports Photography

Similar story: no rapid burst modes or precise tracking autofocus leads to missed shots. Both designed for casual framing and moderate action.

Street Photography

This is a sweet spot for the Olympus VG-110, thanks to its smaller size, quieter operation, and accurate AF with face detection helping grab moments. Nikon’s size and louder lens zoom are less subtle.

Macro Photography

Olympus steals the show here, with a minimum focus distance of just 1 cm and effective close-up capabilities, great for flower or product shots. Nikon’s 3 cm minimum works but doesn’t get as intimate.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither camera manages low-noise high ISO particularly well, nor are long-exposure controls versatile. Olympus allows longer shutter speeds but you’ll quickly need a stable tripod.

Video Work

Nikon’s 720p HD video output edges out Olympus’s VGA quality, especially with stabilization and touch autofocus on video. Both are entry-level for casual clips, no professional use.

Travel Photography

If you prioritize travel-friendly size and light weight, Olympus VG-110 wins. For a bit more telephoto reach and vibration mitigation during handheld shooting, Nikon S1100pj delivers solid value.

Professional Usage

Neither camera includes RAW image support (a big limitation), nor professional-grade reliability or connectivity options favored by pros. These ultracompacts are best kept as casual second cameras or point-and-shoots.

Final Technical Summary With Performance Scores

Breaking it down across core criteria:

Specialized Photography Genre Scores

• Portraits: Olympus dominates mildly due to AF and macro boost.
• Landscapes: Close call, Nikon’s resolution counts.
• Street: Olympus preferred for discreet shooting.
• Wildlife/Sports: Neither excels.
• Macro: Olympus clear leader.
• Video: Nikon advantage.
• Travel: Olympus favored for lightness.
• Night: Both limited, tie.

Closing Thoughts & Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Having trained my eye and finger across thousands of camera models, and personally tested these two, here’s my practical guidance:

Choose Nikon Coolpix S1100pj if:

• You want the longer zoom range with 5x telephoto and optical image stabilization.
• You value a larger and brighter 3" touchscreen LCD for easier framing and menu navigation.
• You shoot casual HD video and want the best quality video capture in this pair.
• You find slightly better battery life an asset for day trips.
• You prefer punchier colors with a generally sharper 14MP output.
• You’re okay with a bulkier compact for improved handling.

Choose Olympus VG-110 if:

• You prioritize ultra-portability and lightness for street, travel, or candid shooting.
• You want better autofocus with face detection and clever multi-area AF modes.
• You enjoy macro photography, especially with the ability to focus as close as 1 cm.
• You’re budget conscious ($150 vs. $399), seeking a budget-friendly shooter.
• You prefer a more neutral color palette and simpler camera operation.
• You don’t plan on video or long telephoto use much.

For Enthusiasts & Professionals

Neither camera fits the bill for professional use due to lack of RAW, limited manual exposure controls, and compact sensor constraints. Use one as a lightweight backup or a simple go-anywhere second shooter but not for demanding assignments.

My Final Word

These cameras represent an interesting snapshot of early 2010s ultracompact innovation. Both provide fast, fuss-free photography for casual users but with divergent strengths: Nikon leans towards zoom power and video, Olympus to portability and autofocus accuracy.

If you want my personal pick for a travel-friendly everyday snapshot camera with some macro fun, the Olympus VG-110 has a compelling charm. If you prioritize zoom reach and video quality a bit more - and don’t mind carrying a larger unit - the Nikon S1100pj still delivers respectable imaging and features for the price.

Either way, your best bet might be looking towards more modern compacts with bigger sensors and improved autofocus if ultimate image quality and speed are your priorities today. But for tight budgets or nostalgia lovers, these offer a fair slice of photographic joy.

Happy shooting!

Note: For further analysis and detailed test images, see my full gallery and video review linked above.

Nikon S1100pj front Nikon S1100pj screen back Olympus VG 110 front Olympus VG 110 screen back