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Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100

Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S3600 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 Key Specs

Nikon S3600
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 58 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2014
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced August 2010
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Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are sold by Nikon. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the S3600 (20MP) and S5100 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3600 was brought out 3 years after the S5100 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the S3600 grades vs the S5100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3600 over the Nikon S5100

 S3600 S5100 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014August 2010More modern by 42 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Nikon S3600

 S5100 S3600 

Common features in the Nikon S3600 and Nikon S5100

 S3600 S5100 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display size
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon S3600 has got outside measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Nikon S5100 has proportions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the S3600 compared to the S5100.

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3600 and S5100 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The picture underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S3600 and S5100.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon S3600 to provide extra detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more recent S3600 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3600 Portrait photography advice
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography advice
38
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3600 Street photography information
Nikon S5100 Street photography information
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (125g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (132 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3600 Sports photography details
Nikon S5100 Sports photography details
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3600 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competition (125 grams)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.7)
62
lighter than competitors in class (132 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3600 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
32
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3600 Vlogging highlights
Nikon S5100 Vlogging highlights
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competition (125 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
31
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (132 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3600 and Nikon S5100
 Nikon Coolpix S3600Nikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix S3600 Nikon Coolpix S5100
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-01-07 2010-08-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 99 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.7-6.6 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing distance 2cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280x720p (30fps) , 1280x720 (25p), 640x480 (30fps ) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lbs) 132 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL19 EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 seconds) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $200 $200