Nikon Coolpix S3100 vs S3300: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros Alike

In the compact camera arena, few brands have left as durable a mark as Nikon. Today, I’m putting two of their budget ultracompacts under the microscope: the Nikon Coolpix S3100 and the slightly younger Coolpix S3300. Both are small-sensor compacts designed for casual shooters, but - as I discovered testing them side-by-side - subtle differences in specs and handling impact their appeal in surprisingly noticeable ways.

Let’s unpack these two humble Nikon compacts with the critical eye developed over 15+ years of shooting, reviewing, and sometimes frankly groaning at small cameras. After all, many photographers still crave the old-school point-and-shoot simplicity with a generous zoom, yet demand decent image quality and practical features. Which of these models earns its place in your travel bag? Or should you look elsewhere entirely? Buckle up; here’s your deep dive.

Putting Size and Ergonomics First: How They Feel in Hand

When evaluating compact cameras - especially for travel or street use - size, grip comfort, and control layout are non-negotiable. Both the Nikon S3100 and S3300 are impressively pocketable, but the devil is in the millimeters.

The S3100 weighs just 118g and measures 94x58x18mm, while the S3300 adds a modest 10g and is slightly thicker at 95x58x19mm. Both feel featherlight, but the S3300’s added bulk is barely perceptible. However, that extra millimeter seems to contribute to a more confident grip, something I valued when fumbling buttons mid-shoot outdoors.

Looking at their top-view designs highlights even more practical differences:

The S3100’s controls are minimalistic but suffer from tight spacing - hardly a haven for fingers in a hurry. Meanwhile, the S3300 adds manual focus capability, an unexpected boon at this price, signaled by a dedicated focus ring on the lens barrel (albeit small). This giving users more control over focusing is a pleasant surprise and rare in this category.

The buttons on the S3300 are also slightly better spaced and have a slightly firmer click. Overall, I found the S3300’s ergonomics better suited for photographers who want a bit more manual interaction without sacrificing compactness.

Behind the Lens: Sensor Specs and Image Quality Expectations

Both cameras lean on modest 1/2.3" CCD sensors - a tried-and-true format for compacts but not without its limitations, especially in low-light scenarios.

The S3100 offers a 14MP resolution, while the S3300 ups the ante to 16MP - however, this increase is more incremental than revolutionary. CCD sensors traditionally boast excellent color reproduction in daylight but struggle with noise at high ISOs. Neither camera supports RAW capture, which is a bummer for enthusiasts who crave post-processing flexibility.

Looking at the maximum ISO, both cap at ISO 3200, but the S3100 starts at an ISO 80 base, whereas the S3300’s native base is ISO 100. Practically, this is negligible, but it means neither is a standout performer in low light.

During field tests, I found that the S3300’s extra megapixels marginally help with image crops and detail retrieval, but noise noticeably creeps in above ISO 400. For best image quality, both perform best in sunny conditions.

Head-to-head, landscape detail reproduction was slightly crisper on the S3300, presumably thanks to the better lens zoom range and stabilization (which the S3100 lacks entirely). Portraits captured on both retained pleasing skin tones given their CCD heritage.

LCD and Interface: How You See (or Missee) Your Shot

For composing and reviewing, both cameras have a fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution - not dazzling by today’s standards, but sufficient for framing casual shots.

The S3300 edges out slightly with an anti-reflection coating, making it friendlier under bright outdoor sunlight. This matters more than you’d think - shooting midday without a viewfinder and a dim screen is a fast track to frustration.

Neither camera offers touchscreens or articulating views, limiting ease of shooting from tricky angles. The S3100’s screen appears slightly brighter, but the difference is marginal and probably within-unit variance.

On controls, the S3300 includes spot metering mode and offers better exposure consistency, while the S3100 sticks to center-weighted metering only. These subtle advancements hint at Nikon’s desire to push the S3300 as the more versatile tool.

Autofocus and Shooting Mechanics: Speed Versus Precision

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and nine focus points on the S3100, while the S3300’s autofocus configuration is less explicitly stated but includes centerweighted and spot metering.

Surprisingly, despite their entry-level status, both can track faces decently in decent light but lagged badly in low light or on moving subjects - expected given their technology generation and sensor size.

Continuous shooting speeds are painfully low at 1 fps on the S3100 and unspecified but likely similar on the S3300. For fast action or wildlife, neither is your friend. Personal experience suggests hunting manual focus is sometimes surprisingly fun with the S3300’s focus ring, but frustrating if you need speed and accuracy on the run.

Built to Take the Elements? Weather Sealing and Durability

Neither camera offers any meaningful environmental sealing - no dustproof, waterproof, shockproof ratings to mention. Given their plastic-bodied ultracompact design and low price, that’s no shocker.

For casual users who mostly shoot indoors or fair weather travel, this won't be a critical issue - but professionals or enthusiasts venturing outdoors in challenging conditions would want to look elsewhere (consider Nikon’s rugged AW series for that).

Macro, Zoom, and Stabilization: Getting Closer to the Details

If your creative heart beats for macro, the S3300 trumps with an exceptionally close minimum focusing distance of 1 cm, compared to the S3100’s 10 cm. This means you can get dramatically closer to tiny subjects, capturing details that the S3100 simply can’t approach.

Its optical zoom also stretches to 6x (26-156mm equivalent), offering more framing versatility than the S3100’s more modest 5x zoom (26-130mm). The difference is noticeable when shooting distant subjects - like wildlife in a park or architectural details across a street.

Nikon S3100 front Nikon S3100 screen back Nikon S3300 front Nikon S3300 screen back

The S3300 includes optical image stabilization, a crucial feature that the S3100 lacks. This stabilization really helps prevent blur in low-light or at longer focal lengths; I found the S3100 images more prone to shake-induced softness beyond 100mm equivalent.

Video Capabilities: Minimal But Functional

Modern hybrids need at least passable video, even from compacts. Both cameras offer 720p video at 30 fps, with the S3100 using Motion JPEG format and the S3300 employing MPEG-4.

Neither records in Full HD or 4K, nor do they have microphone or headphone jacks. The lack of IS on the S3100 makes handheld video shakier and less watchable. If video is a side interest, the S3300 is the preferred choice.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and How Much?

The Nikon cameras share the same EN-EL19 battery model but differ in stamina: the S3100 claims 220 shots per charge, and the S3300 rates lower at 180 shots. Little surprise, considering the S3300’s more advanced features and zoom.

Both use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot - standard fare for this class.

Connectivity and Extras: What’s Missing?

Neither camera offers wireless features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) or GPS tagging, so sharing images requires either removing the card or a direct cable connection via USB 2.0. This is a drawback if you prioritize quick online uploads or geotagging travel photos.

Performance Recap: Ratings and Practical Use Cases

Looking beyond specs to actual hands-on use and genre application:

• Portraits: Both offer decent skin tones thanks to CCD sensors and face detection; the S3300's stabilization and extended zoom add a bit of framing flexibility and steadier shots.
• Landscapes: Neither breaks resolution barriers, but the S3300’s slight resolution bump and stability offer an advantage in sharpness.
• Wildlife & Sports: Neither suited here - slow focusing and low burst rates limit action capture.
• Street: Size and discretion favor the S3100, but the brighter screen and stabilization of the S3300 make it the better all-rounder.
• Macro: Clear win for S3300 with closer focusing and stabilization.
• Night/Astro: Limited by sensor and ISO ceiling - ambient light shooting is challenging for both.
• Video: Simple 720p with better stabilization on the S3300.
• Travel: S3300 offers more versatility, but slightly shorter battery life.
• Professional Work: Both lack RAW and advanced controls, limiting them as pros’ backup or primary tools.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

When choosing between the Nikon Coolpix S3100 and S3300, the decision boils down to your appetite for control versus simplicity, and your photography priorities.

• Go S3100 if you want ultralight, ultra-simple point-and-shoot ease for everyday snapshots, especially if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind minimal features.
• Pick S3300 if you desire more creative freedom in focusing, closer macro abilities, image stabilization for handheld shots, plus a longer zoom range - all at a lower price than the S3100 originally launched. The tradeoff: a slightly heavier body and shorter battery life.

Neither is a stellar choice for enthusiasts craving RAW, high-speed autofocus, or advanced video. For those drawn to the Nikon brand at a bargain price, the S3300 offers more bang for the buck, appearing almost like a thoughtful refinement rather than a radical upgrade.

But if you’re serious about image quality, durability, or faster shooting, stepping up to Nikon’s higher-tier compacts or affordable mirrorless systems will reward you better in the long run.

To wrap up, while these cameras may no longer be Nikon’s flagship compacts in 2024, they encapsulate an era when small sensor cameras were pocket-friendly companions rather than obsoleted gear. Their charm lies in simplicity and affordability - an appealing proposition for casual shooters or collectors who appreciate Nikon’s long-standing legacy.

Happy shooting! And remember: sometimes, the best camera is simply the one you have in your hand.

• • If you found these insights helpful, stay tuned for more comparisons where I plug the gaps between specs sheets and real-world shooting, so your next camera choice truly clicks.*