Nikon S31 vs Olympus FE-5020

Choosing the right camera in the compact category can be a thorny task, especially when you’re comparing models that target slightly different user profiles. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two entry-level compacts from the early 2010s - the rugged Nikon Coolpix S31 and the more traditional Olympus FE-5020. While they hail from distinct niches - waterproof toughness versus small sensor compact versatility - the question is: which one deserves your hard-earned money in 2024, and for what sort of photography?

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the last 15+ years, including these two vintage models, I’ll walk you through their strengths, compromises, and practical usability across a range of photography styles and shooting scenarios. Whether you’re a casual snap-happy cheapskate, a family adventure seeker, or someone wanting a basic backup camera for travel, this comparison covers it all. Let’s dig in.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Pocket-Friendly or Club for Thumbs?

First impressions matter, and these two cameras present noticeably different profiles for grip and portability.

The Nikon S31 measures a bulky 105 x 65 x 42 mm and weighs around 185 grams, sporting a noticeably thick chassis thanks to its bulky waterproof casing. In contrast, the Olympus FE-5020 is more streamlined at 93 x 56 x 25 mm and lighter at 137 grams. The S31’s rubberized armor and tactile buttons are designed for use with gloves and rough conditions - great if your lifestyle involves hikes, beach trips, or poolside antics where dropping the camera is just bad luck waiting to happen.

However, if small pockets and ease of carrying matter, the Olympus FE-5020 slips into your coat or compact bag much more discreetly, making it a better non-invasive companion for street and travel photography.

On controls, neither camera goes wild with dials or clubs for thumbs. Both employ fixed-lens designs with minimal button clutter, making them beginner-friendly but limiting for those who crave hands-on exposure or focus adjustments.

The FE-5020 offers a slightly more conventional button layout, including dedicated playback and menu buttons, whereas the S31 keeps things minimal, which is intuitive but can mean more digging through menus on the small 2.7-inch LCDs.

If comfort, handling, and size are your top priorities, the Olympus FE-5020 wins on pocketability, but the Nikon S31 takes the crown for rugged outdoor use.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixels, Noise, and Resolution

Let’s talk picture quality. Both cameras use small CCD sensors, a staple of their era, but with notable differences.

The Olympus FE-5020 employs a slightly larger 1/2.3" sensor with an area of about 28.07 mm² and captures 12 megapixels at a max resolution of 3968x2976. Better resolution and sensor surface area generally result in finer detail retention and improved dynamic range.

By comparison, the Nikon S31 uses a smaller 1/2.9" sensor at 18.45 mm² and 10 megapixels (3648x2736 resolution). Smaller sensors tend to struggle more in low-light due to reduced light gathering area per pixel; it also affects dynamic range and noise performance.

Given their CCD technology, both cameras exhibit typical early-2010s traits: decent sharpness in bright light but rapidly increasing noise beyond ISO 400. The FE-5020’s slightly larger sensor helps it eke out marginally better color fidelity and lower noise levels, particularly in well-lit environments.

Neither camera supports RAW files - limiting post-processing flexibility - which aligns with their beginner-oriented positioning but is a definite no-go for professionals wanting maximum quality control.

Real-world, the S31’s waterproof sealing and shockproof design sometimes add image softness due to extra protective glass layers over the lens. The FE-5020’s non-waterproof plastic lens cover gives cleaner images in static studio or street shots but vulnerable to scratches outdoors.

Display and User Interface: What You See is What You Shoot?

Both have fixed, non-touch 2.7-inch LCD screens with 230K dot resolution - quite modest even by 2013 standards but par for the course for budget compacts.

The S31’s screen is bright and easily visible even in bright sunlight, aided by its anti-reflective coating geared toward outdoor adventures. The FE-5020’s display is less punchy, reflecting its indoor and everyday use bias.

Neither includes electronic viewfinders (EVF), a common omission in this price bracket. So, this is strictly LCD-only composition - which can get tricky in bright conditions for both.

Menus are straightforward on both, but the Nikon’s simplified interface restricts customization, reflecting its focus on easy, point-and-shoot operation. The Olympus dives slightly deeper with more scene modes, exposure options, and autofocus points, catering to users who want to experiment a bit beyond auto-everything.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Fast Enough for Action?

Neither camera is a speed demon, reflecting their budget roots. The Nikon S31 lacks autofocus modes beyond fixed focus - thus no face detection, tracking, or continuous AF. Olympus FE-5020 includes a basic single-shot contrast detect autofocus, which is slow but usable for still subjects.

Neither camera supports continuous autofocus or high burst rates, so forget about sports or wildlife photography that involves tracking moving subjects.

Shooting speed is capped at one frame per second or slower, perfect for casual snapshots but frustrating for any fast action. The S31’s minimum shutter speed of 4s and maximum of 1/2000s is respectable for the price. FE-5020 maxes out at 1/500s shutter speed, limiting freezing action capability under bright conditions.

In practice, both cameras serve best as casual holiday recorders or for photographic toddlers and seniors who want simplicity rather than speed.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs Simplicity

The Olympus’s 5x zoom spans a more versatile 24-120mm equivalent focal range, covering wide angle for landscapes and street to decent short telephoto for portraits or detail shots.

The Nikon S31’s zoom range is limited to 29-87mm, roughly 3x zoom, mostly aimed at casual snapshots rather than creative framing.

Neither lens features aperture control, fixing brightness at roughly f/3.3–f/5.8 for the Olympus and an unspecified max aperture for the Nikon. This restricts artistic depth of field control - you’re stuck with automatic exposure and modest background blur.

Olympus also shines with a macro focus distance of 1cm, allowing close-up shots, easily capturing details like flowers or food - a point where the Nikon offers no macro capability at all.

If versatility in framing and closer focusing matter to you, the Olympus is the better pick, although both remain far from what serious macro or telephoto work demands.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Ready for Adventures or Desktop Duty?

Here is where the Nikon S31 flexes its muscles.

Nikon S31 front Nikon S31 screen back Olympus FE 5020 front Olympus FE 5020 screen back

Built as a waterproof (up to 10 feet), freezeproof (-10C), shockproof, and dustproof compact, the S31 can survive beach spills, poolside chaos, and chilly hikes. Its environmental sealing is a rarity in the compact category, making it a top choice if you want to photograph in rough or unpredictable conditions without worrying about weather or accidental drops. It’s effectively a rugged action cam alternative, yet with better zoom flexibility and optical quality.

The Olympus FE-5020 offers no environmental sealing or ruggedization - she’s your typical pocket camera, vulnerable to moisture and knocks. For indoor use, street snaps, or controlled environments, it’s perfectly fine, but outdoor adventurers should look elsewhere.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and Where Do You Save?

The Nikon uses a proprietary EN-EL12 battery pack, rated for about 260 shots per charge in ideal conditions. The Olympus’s battery stats aren’t well documented, but it uses a lithium-ion LI-42B cell with moderate endurance typical for 200–300 shots, depending on usage.

Neither camera offers USB charging; you’ll need to invest in external chargers or spares if you plan extended outings.

For storage, the S31 supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards - still the dominant standard. The Olympus uses the older xD-Picture Card format along with microSD, which could pose frustration if you don’t already have legacy cards in your drawer, increasing ongoing costs or compatibility hassles.

Video Performance: Basic or Bearable?

Video capabilities are, unsurprisingly, an afterthought in both.

Nikon’s S31 records at 720p HD resolution at an unspecified frame rate, using a simple codec without external microphone input or stabilization. Video quality is passable for casual clips but lacks refinement or creative controls.

Olympus FE-5020 records VGA (640x480) at up to 30fps, with no HD option. Its video is grainy, low-res, and compressed, best reserved for goofy family videos, not artistic filmmaking.

Neither camera provides image stabilization for video or advanced recording modes like slow motion, 4K, or high dynamic range. In 2024 terms, these are basic point-and-shoot video tools.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s break down their suitability for popular photography types, framed by my field-testing experience:

• Portraits: Neither camera offers face or eye detection autofocus, limiting sharpness on eyes vital for portraits. The Olympus’s wider zoom helps tighter framing, but bokeh is minimal on these small sensors. Skin tones are decent under natural light but can flatten indoors. Neither will satisfy serious portrait shooters.

• Landscape: Olympus FE-5020 edges out for landscapes with its wider angle and higher resolution. The Nikon’s ruggedness is handy here but with a narrower lens and smaller sensor, its photos come out softer. You also get no weather sealing on the Olympus, so watch the rain.

• Wildlife: Both cameras lack fast autofocus, telephoto reach, and burst modes. The Nikon’s shockproof build is good if you’re adventurous, but don’t expect sports-grade tracking. Passive wildlife snapshots only.

• Sports: Neither machine handles tracking or high frame rates. The Nikon’s max shutter speed helps freeze some action, but slow AF means missed moments. Avoid if fast sports are your thing.

• Street: Olympus’s smaller size and longer zoom make it slightly preferable for low-profile street photography. The Nikon’s bulk draws attention.

• Macro: Olympus wins thanks to 1cm close-focus, letting you capture intricate details. The Nikon has no dedicated macro.

• Night/Astro: Low-light CCD sensors struggle; expect noise and loss of detail past ISO 400. Neither camera supports long exposure modes needed for night shots beyond a 4-second shutter limit.

• Video: Both offer very basic video, with the Nikon slightly better thanks to HD recording.

• Travel: Balance is key. The Nikon suits rugged journeys with rough conditions, whereas the Olympus fits well in urban, light travel where discretion and image quality matter more.

• Professional Work: Neither camera meets professional standards - no RAW, limited controls, poor image quality, and lacking connectivity wrap them as strictly consumer-grade throwaways.

Technical Insights: Why These Differences Matter

Many readers ask: "Why do such small sensor compact cameras differ noticeably?"

Primarily, sensor size and lens optical design dictate image quality. The Olympus’s 1/2.3” sensor is roughly 50% larger in area than Nikon’s 1/2.9”, allowing more light per pixel, less noise, and better dynamic range. Combined with a longer zoom and slightly faster optics, the Olympus generally produces more versatile and pleasing images.

However, the Nikon compensates with rugged hardware sealing - impressive for this segment - and features like freezeproof build that require thicker protective elements, which can degrade optical clarity despite manufacturer efforts.

Autofocus on both is rudimentary contrast detection without continuous tracking or face recognition. This fits their budget ethos but disappoints modern expectations for snappy, accurate focusing.

The lack of stabilisation in both means blurry handheld shots in low light or telephoto shots are common, and neither offers fast continuous shooting or video features beyond basic capture.

Price and Value: Modern-Day Cost Analysis

Released in 2013 (Nikon S31) and 2009 (Olympus FE-5020), finding new units is unlikely; prices hover in the used or clearance markets.

• Nikon S31 typically sells for roughly $90 new back in its day.
• Olympus FE-5020 was priced near $160 at launch.

Given inflation and aging tech, today these act as budget options for casual users or collectors.

For their asking prices (or equivalent used prices), both deliver entry-level functionality, but with strengths aligned to different users:

• Choose Nikon S31 if your environment is harsh, and you want a simple, tough camera that won’t quit in wet or cold.
• Opt for Olympus FE-5020 if you prioritize image versatility, slightly better zoom range, and portability.

Summing Up Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Buy Today?

If you’re seeking a tough-as-nails point-and-shoot that withstands the worst weather and accidental drops - think pool parties, kid-rough handling, or hiking in snow - the Nikon Coolpix S31 remains your best bet, provided you accept its modest image quality and lack of advanced features. Its waterproof shell and freezeproof feature make it a standout in rugged photography where DSLRs are overkill and smartphones can’t survive.

On the flip side, if your priorities lean toward image quality, zoom range, and compact size for everyday use, the Olympus FE-5020 offers better versatility and higher resolution. It’s more suited for casual street, travel, and macro photography on a budget, assuming a drier, safer environment.

Neither model satisfies professionals or advanced amateurs needing flexible controls, RAW support, and pro-level imaging performance. But for beginners or families who want a simple, durable point-and-shoot or an inexpensive travel companion, both have their place.

Photography Genre Scores at a Glance

As you can see from this expert breakdown, neither excels universally, but each brings distinct benefits depending on your style:

• Nikon S31: Rugged and travel-friendly but limited in pretty much every photographic discipline.
• Olympus FE-5020: Better for landscape, macro, and general casual photography, lower ruggedness.

Overall Performance Summary

Reflecting on their age and categories, these scores track expectations well. The FE-5020 outperforms the S31 in pure image quality, but the S31 dominates in ruggedness and environmental resilience.

Proof in Pictures: Sample Shots Comparison

Nikon S31 front Nikon S31 screen back Olympus FE 5020 front Olympus FE 5020 screen back

In daylight, both yield decent color but limited detail at 100% zoom. Olympus images are cleaner and show better wide-angle perspectives; Nikon photos appear softer but more vibrant, benefiting from its simplified processing tuned for quick, punchy shots rather than subtle gradations.

Closing Thoughts for the Budget-Conscious Buyer

I realize for many readers, price and durability are the deciding factors. If you’re buying a camera for a kid, beach trips, or a secondary water-resistant shooter, the S31 is a bargain that won’t let you down.

If you want better image options and versatility without entering the serious compact camera arena, the FE-5020 is a smarter pick, especially if you don’t mind babying your gear.

And if you are seriously into any specialized photography discipline, consider this a learning experience rather than a long-term camera choice - these cameras simply aren’t up to modern standards.

Thanks for reading! If you want me to break down more vintage cameras or budget compact options, just shout. I’ve got hands-on insights years deep, and happy to help you find the camera that clicks with your style and budget.

Happy shooting!