Nikon Coolpix S33 vs Nikon Coolpix S810c: A Hands-On Comparison for Practical Photographers

As someone who has tested hundreds - scratch that, thousands - of cameras over the years, I relish the opportunity to dig into real-world comparisons. Today we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting into the Nikon Coolpix S33 and Nikon Coolpix S810c. Both compact, both from Nikon’s Coolpix line but vastly different beasts aimed at different users.

If you’re here, you’re likely weighing these affordable compacts - maybe as an easy-to-carry everyday camera, a simple point-and-shoot, or a kid-friendly shooter. So buckle in for a no-nonsense, hands-on look at what these cameras bring to the table (and where they fall flat).

First Impressions: Size, Handling & Controls

Let’s start by sizing these two little cameras up physically because portability and ergonomics are make-or-break for everyday use.

The Nikon S33 is notably petite and chunky at 110 x 66 x 27 mm, tipping the scales at 221 grams. Its simple, compact body screams kid-friendly, almost like a rugged toy - which makes sense given its shockproof and environmental sealing features. It fits comfortably in small hands and pockets but does lack more advanced controls. Think “easy button” experience without any dials - more “point and shoot” than “clubs for thumbs” for grip.

Meanwhile, the S810c, while barely heavier at 216 grams, sports a slimmer profile (113 x 64 x 28 mm). It feels more upscale with a larger 3.7-inch touchscreen on the back and fine-tuned button layout. The tactile feedback and control positioning (see next section) give it a more mature appeal, suitable for casual photographers who want more options without lugging heavy gear.

In short: The S33 is the straightforward, durable pocket companion, great for kids or those who abhor complexity, while the S810c takes a slight step up in sophistication and touch control.

Body Design and Controls: Where Usability Shines

Looking at the top view, the S33 keeps it basic - minimal buttons, no viewfinder, no mode dial. This camera is designed for pure point-and-shoot simplicity, with no manual focus, no shutter priority, aperture priority, or any such fancy options.

The S810c, on the other hand, offers more breathing room for control with a touchscreen combined with physical buttons. The touch interface means you can quickly change focus points or scroll through settings in a way impossible on the S33. However, neither has advanced exposure modes, so pros will miss the granular control here.

For users wanting accessibility without a steep learning curve, the S810c offers manageable extras. But for the cheapskate who wants a no-brainer camera that just works, the S33 is hard to beat.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where things get interesting - and give you a better idea of the image quality gap between the two.

The Nikon S33 rocks a tiny 1/3.1-inch CMOS sensor (4.7 x 3.5 mm) with a modest 13-megapixel resolution. That’s a sensor area of just 16.45 mm². Contrast detection autofocus is functional but basic. It maxes out at ISO 1600, which rarely shines beyond daylight shooting.

Contrasting that, the S810c goes bigger and better with a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), offering 16 megapixels - yielding nearly double the sensor surface area at 28.07 mm². This gives it a tangible advantage in dynamic range, low-light sensitivity, and overall image quality. BSI (backside illuminated) technology helps capture more light, reducing noise in dim scenes.

In practice, the S810c delivers notably crisper images, richer colors, and better detail endurance when you zoom in, while the S33 produces softer images with less fine detail. The anti-aliasing filter presence in both slightly smooths details but is consistent for compact sensors.

For casual snapshots in bright outdoor light, the S33 is adequate. But hobbyists who want punchier photos and breath more life into low light will appreciate the S810c’s sensor performance.

Display and User Interface: Touchscreens vs Fixed Screens

The 2.7-inch fixed screen on the S33 with a resolution of 230k dots is serviceable but uninspiring. It never makes you want to frame shots with panache and feels somewhat cramped and dim - especially for reviewing photos on the go.

By comparison, the S810c boasts a much larger 3.7-inch touchscreen with a high 1229k-dot resolution, quite bright and detailed for a compact. This makes framing, swiping through images, or tweaking settings a smoother affair. The touchscreen ability is surprisingly responsive in real-world use, bringing some modern ease usually found on smartphones.

Both lack viewfinders - but if you’re used to holding the camera at arm’s length, the S810c’s bigger, more colorful display certainly wins for usability.

Autofocus System: Speed, Tracking, and Locking In

For many, autofocus defines the joy or frustration of shooting.

The S33 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and 4.7 fps continuous shooting - adequate for basic snapshots. However, its AF struggles to maintain fast-moving subjects and has no selective or multi-area focus options. The single-point, center-weighted AF means you’re often trusting the camera’s judgment for focus points, which can lead to out-of-focus photos in tricky compositions.

The S810c improves with a nine-point contrast-detection AF system, supporting selective AF area control, continuous AF, face detection, and AF tracking. It also ups burst shooting speed to 8 fps, making it moderately better for catching moments on the fly. While still no phase detection or professional-level AF, the S810c is more versatile for casual sports, street, or wildlife photography in good light.

Lens and Zoom Range: Versatility vs Simplicity

Buying a compact means deciding how much zoom you want versus simplicity.

The S33 features a fixed 30-90 mm (35mm equivalent focal length approximate, multiplied by 7.7 crop factor) lens with a modest 3x optical zoom range and max aperture from f/3.3 to f/5.9. This lens feels restrictive - great for snaps and portraits but frustrating for anything beyond a short telephoto reach. Macro focusing is limited to 5 cm.

The S810c steps up to a versatile 25-300 mm 12x zoom lens at f/3.3 - 6.3 aperture, a remarkably flexible reach in a compact. That wide-to-tele coverage makes it a genuine all-in-one, suitable for landscapes, telephoto wildlife shots, street candids, and even some close-up macros (down to 2 cm). Add to that optical image stabilization for steady shots, and you have a compact that handles more serious zoom demands better.

If versatility and range are what draw you, the S810c takes the crown.

Build Quality, Durability, and Environmental Features

Here comes the part where the S33 shows off its ruggedness.

Nikon designed the S33 as a splash-, freeze-, and shockproof camera with environmental sealing - a big plus if you’re buying for kids, outdoor adventures, or travel where accidents happen. Despite its cheap feel, it stands up better than the S810c to rougher treatment.

The S810c lacks these protections, focusing more on style and functionality. It's your typical compact for casual users prioritizing image quality and zoom ranges over ruggedness.

If protection from the elements matters (or you’re prone to drop cameras), the S33 is a safer bet.

Battery Performance & Storage

No photographer wants to be the annoying one with a dead camera battery mid-shoot.

The S33 uses an EN-EL19 battery rated for about 220 shots - light use only. It’s enough for a few hours of casual shooting but expect to carry spares on long trips.

By contrast, the S810c uses the EN-EL23 battery and squeezes out around 270 shots per charge. Not stellar but meaningfully better, giving enough juice to cover a morning or evening session without urgent charging.

On storage, the S33 uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while the S810c insists on microSD cards but also includes internal storage. That smaller microSD format sometimes annoys cheapskate photographers who like to swap cards easily between devices, but internal storage is a neat backup.

Connectivity & Extras

Connectivity options on these cameras are minimal but still worth mentioning.

The S810c offers built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, useful if geotagging is important for your travel photography or if you want to quickly transfer images without cables.

The S33 lacks wireless features entirely, a throwback to more basic compacts.

Neither includes external microphone ports, limiting their viability for serious video work (though the S810c has a headphone jack, surprisingly rare for compacts).

Video Capabilities

While these are primarily still cameras, video performance can tip the balance.

The S33 shoots HD video (1280x720) at 30/25 fps with basic H.264 compression. Image stabilization is digital-only, which can introduce softness and jitter during handheld recording.

The S810c shoots Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps with optical image stabilization - noticeably smoother and sharper footage. The higher screen resolution also helps with framing video accurately.

If video usage factors into your decision, the S810c offers much more practical capabilities, though neither will replace a dedicated camcorder or serious mirrorless setup.

How Do They Shoot Across Photography Genres?

I tested these cameras across several shooting scenarios to give you a real-world feel:

Nikon S33 front Nikon S33 screen back Nikon S810c front Nikon S810c screen back

Portrait Photography

• S33: Skin tones come out a bit soft with limited dynamic range; bokeh is modest due to the small sensor and fixed lens. Face detection helps but autofocus can struggle in low contrast lighting.
• S810c: More pleasing skin tone rendition, better detail, and a noticeably better ability to isolate subjects when zoomed in. The touchscreen AF selection aids composition.

Landscape Photography

• S33: Fine for casual snaps, but limited by 13MP resolution and smaller sensor. Highlights may blow out in bright sunlight.
• S810c: Produces richer detail and improved color fidelity, especially when capturing expansive scenes. The 12x zoom allows creative framing beyond the fixed focal lengths of the S33.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

• S33: Not the right tool here. Slow AF, limited zoom, and meager burst rate mean you’ll miss most action.
• S810c: Better but still amateur level. The 8 fps burst and 300 mm telephoto help capture wildlife or sports at a distance but autofocus can lose track on fast moving subjects.

Street Photography

• S33: Discrete, simple, and lightweight. Ideal as a no-hassle companion to snap candid moments.
• S810c: Slightly larger and more conspicuous, but quick touch focusing and longer zoom lend versatility.

Macro Photography

• S33: Macro focusing down to 5 cm is okay for basic close-ups.
• S810c: Down to 2 cm macro focusing with optical stabilization lets you explore details better - more rewarding for bug or flower shooters.

Night & Astro

• Both cameras struggle in low light due to small sensors. The S810c fares slightly better with ISO up to 3200 but noise dominates. Use a tripod and manual delay feature on the S33 can help reduce blur.

Travel Photography

• S33’s rugged body is great for on-the-go adventures.
• S810c’s range, GPS, and Wi-Fi suit varied photo needs on travel but lacks the ruggedness.

Professional Work

• Neither camera supports RAW image capture - a major limitation for serious workflow.
• File formats and processing options are minimal; these are casual cameras, not studio tools.

Real-World Performance Scores

Unsurprisingly, the S810c leads the pack in all performance categories measured - image quality, autofocus, zoom versatility, video capabilities, and connectivity score higher. But the S33’s durability and simplicity still win in outdoor ruggedness and beginner friendliness.

Price & Value: Where Your Dollars Go

• Nikon Coolpix S33 MSRP: ~$150
• Nikon Coolpix S810c MSRP: ~$350

At roughly double the price, the S810c packs in more features, better image quality, and flexibility - but at the cost of durability and simplicity.

If your budget is tight or you want a low-maintenance camera for kids or casual snaps, the S33 is a bargain.

If you want a more capable, travel-friendly compact with zoom and smarter connectivity, the S810c’s higher price is justifiable.

Final Pros & Cons Summary

Who Should Buy Which Camera? My Recommendations

• For parents, beginners, and outdoor enthusiasts on a budget: The Nikon Coolpix S33 is your go-to. It's tough enough for kids, easy enough for technophobes, and simple to keep running. Just don’t expect stellar low-light photos or zooming prowess.

• For the casual shooter, traveler, or budget-minded enthusiast: The Nikon Coolpix S810c offers much better image quality, a versatile zoom lens, and more features to explore. If you want a pocket camera that can go with you almost anywhere and give you better shots, it’s the better all-arounder.

• For professionals and serious hobbyists: Neither camera is ideal. Lack of RAW, slow AF, and limited manual controls mean you should look into advanced mirrorless or DSLR gear.

Wrapping It Up: Which Nikon Compact Wins Your Wallet?

The Nikon Coolpix S33 and S810c may come from the same family but live on quite different ends of the compact spectrum. The S33 is the rugged, no-frills shooter aimed at simplicity and durability. The S810c is a feature-rich compact superzoom geared for casual photographers craving versatility and better photos without moving up to interchangeable lenses.

From a photography enthusiast’s perspective, my testing reveals the S810c is worth the higher price if you can stretch your budget. It punches well beyond its cost in sensor quality, zoom range, and user comfort. But if you need something rugged and dead-simple for kids or travel, the S33 is an able and dependable little companion.

Hopefully, this detailed walk-through helps you paint a clear mental picture and select the Nikon compact that’ll suit your photographic adventures best.

Happy shooting!