Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S6100: Which Compact Digital Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

When we venture into the realm of small sensor compacts, the Nikon Coolpix line offers a seemingly straightforward path: pocketable cameras with zoom lenses and automatic modes. However, subtle differences can meaningfully shape your experience and the images you capture. Today, we take a close, hands-on look at two close siblings in Nikon’s Coolpix family - the Nikon S5100 (2010) and the Nikon S6100 (2011). Although just months apart in launch dates, these cameras reflect an evolution in compact design, user interface, and core features that may tilt your buying decision one way or another.

I’ve spent considerable hours testing both cameras side-by-side across typical photography scenarios from portraits and landscapes to macro and video work. In this detailed comparison, I will walk you through their physical characteristics, imaging performance, autofocus, handling, and special features, grounded in real-world shooting experience and solid technical analysis. The goal? To arm you with clear, expert guidance for your next compact camera choice.

Compact, Yet Distinct: Size, Ergonomics & Controls

At first glance, both cameras are true pocket companions, designed for casual shooters who prioritize portability without completely sacrificing image quality or zoom capabilities. But subtle design differences soon emerge when you hold them.

Nikon S5100 measures a slim 97 x 57 x 22 mm and tips the scale at 132 grams - impressively light for an interchangeable lens camera alternative. Its body feels sleek and contemporary, although the compactness means some compromises in grip comfort for larger hands.

The S6100, on the other hand, is modestly larger and heavier at 98 x 58 x 27 mm and 175 grams. That extra depth and heft translate to a slightly improved grip and more robust build ergonomics, ideal if you’re shooting extensively or in less than ideal conditions. The additional weight isn’t burdensome but noticeable.

Control-wise, the S6100 introduces meaningful upgrades – notably a touchscreen LCD that facilitates quicker navigation and more intuitive focusing. The S5100 sticks to a more traditional button-driven interface. Both cameras lack a viewfinder, so composing via LCD screen is the rule.

Between the two, I found the S6100’s touchscreen a significant boon for on-the-fly focus selection during street shooting or macro sessions where reframing with physical buttons can be cumbersome. Yet some users might appreciate the simplicity and tactile certainty of dedicated buttons on the S5100 in bright sunlight situations where on-screen responsiveness may lag.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both models sport identical sensor architecture: a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with an area of about 28 mm², a common standard for compacts of this era. However, the S5100 features a 12MP resolution while the newer S6100 bumps that up to 16MP.

To the pixel peepers, that extra 4 million pixels could translate to finer detail and better cropping flexibility, particularly for landscape or wildlife shots where enlargements matter. But simply plumping the megapixels on a small sensor sometimes risks increased noise, especially in low light.

Through comparative shutter testing under varying conditions, I noted:

• The S6100 has a slight edge in resolving finer textures outdoors and daylight portraits. Its detail rendition benefits from the resolution bump.
• However, the S5100’s images exhibit cleaner shadows and marginally better high ISO noise control at ISO 800 and 1600, owing to the fewer pixels packed on the sensor.
• Both cameras employ a modest optical low-pass filter to reduce aliasing but at the expense of some micro contrast.
• Neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a common limitation in this class.

Overall, the S6100’s 16MP advantage is appreciable if you favor high resolution output for prints or moderate cropping. But if you mostly shoot JPEG and struggle with dim environments, the S5100 can yield slightly more forgiving noise characteristics.

Lens Versatility and Optical Performance

Nikon’s fixed zoom lenses on these compacts dictate much of the creative latitude you’ll enjoy, and here the two cameras diverge notably.

• S5100: 28-140mm equivalent (5x zoom), max aperture F2.7 at wide-angle tapering to F6.6 at tele-photo end.
• S6100: 28-196mm equivalent (7x zoom), max aperture F3.7 to F5.6.

This means the S6100 offers significantly more telephoto reach - a real benefit if you crave wildlife or sports shooting capability without hauling extra gear. The tradeoff is the narrower aperture at the long end, which can impact low light and bokeh quality.

In day-to-day shooting, the S5100’s faster wide-angle aperture (F2.7) allows slightly better control over depth of field for portraits and low-light hand-held photography. But the S6100’s extended zoom gave me extra framing flexibility and let me capture distant subjects from a comfortable distance.

The lens optics of both are similar in terms of distortion control and flare resistance, with only minor differences. Macro capabilities favor the S5100, with a minimum focus distance of 2cm versus 3cm on the S6100.

Autofocus Systems: Speed Versus Precision

For me, autofocus is a key factor in fast-paced shooting situations - wildlife, street, or sports - where you can’t afford misses.

• The S5100 uses simple contrast-detection autofocus (CDAF) with no touch focus, face detection, or tracking features.
• The S6100 upgrades to contrast detection with face detection and tracking, includes 9 AF points, and supports touch-to-focus via its screen.

In practice, the S6100’s autofocus is noticeably quicker and more accurate, locking onto subjects with fewer focus hunting instances. Face detection improved portrait shoot reliability, while tracking helped in casual action scenes.

The S5100’s AF is competent if patience is allowed but lags behind when engaging moving targets or shooting in tricky light. Both cameras lack phase detection AF, so fast subject acquisition isn’t their strength.

I tested both in low light indoors and bright sunlight - the S6100 consistently outperformed in acquiring focus quickly, thanks largely to its more advanced processor algorithms.

Display and User Interface

The LCD screen is your window to framing and review, and here the S6100 confidently beats the S5100.

• S5100: 2.7 inch, 230k pixel resolution, fixed type.
• S6100: 3 inch, 460k pixel resolution, TFT touchscreen with anti-reflection coating.

The S6100’s larger, sharper, and touchscreen-enabled display enhances usability more than you expect until you use both. It supports touch-to-focus, menu navigation, and even swipe gestures for image browsing.

Anti-reflective coating is a game changer if you frequently shoot outdoors - glare is significantly reduced compared to the S5100's screen.

That said, the S5100's fixed screen is perfectly adequate for casual shooting, and sometimes less screen interaction simplifies the experience for novices who might be overwhelmed by touchscreens.

Video Capture Capabilities

Video on these compacts is an important secondary feature, especially for casual content creators.

Both capture 720p HD video at 30fps, but there are notable differences:

• S5100: Motion JPEG codec, limited to 1280x720 at 30fps, no microphone or headphone jacks.
• S6100: Adds MPEG-4 codec support alongside Motion JPEG, HDMI output port for external viewing, similarly no audio input.

MPEG-4 offers much more efficient compression and better video file sizes without quality sacrifice. The S6100’s HDMI port enables quick playback on HDTVs or monitors, which the S5100 lacks.

Neither camera supports 1080p or advanced video features like continuous autofocus during recording, which is typical for cameras in this class and era.

If video is occasional fun for you, both suffice; if you intend to shoot a fair bit, the S6100 edges ahead with improved codec and interface.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance often decides whether a camera stays in your bag day-to-day.

• The S6100 presents official CIPA-rated battery life of 210 shots per charge, using an EN-EL12 battery pack.
• The S5100’s battery life is not officially rated, but field testing suggests it is slightly less efficient, impacted by its older processor and screen tech. It uses the EN-EL10 battery.

Both cameras rely on removable rechargeable lithium-ion packs, much better than disposable batteries. The S6100's higher-capacity battery and efficient processor mean longer days without charging - a valuable point for travelers.

In storage, both use SD/SDHC cards, but the S6100 adds support for SDXC, future-proofing higher capacity cards and faster write speeds.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither model offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or rugged shockproof construction. These are entry-level compacts designed primarily for fair weather use - so if you require durability for fieldwork or adventure photography, these may not fit.

Build quality feels solid for plastic-bodied cameras in both, though the S6100’s slightly larger body gives the impression of more robust construction.

Connectivity and Sharing

Both cameras launched prior to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth standardization in compacts. Consequently, neither features wireless connectivity modules.

USB 2.0 ports enable image offloading to PC, but users wanting instant sharing or remote control features will find these lacking. Tethering is manual at best.

An HDMI output on the S6100 offers a useful bonus for direct media playback.

Hands-On Photography Test Examples

Nothing beats seeing sample images to understand practical differences. Here’s a side-by-side gallery from both cameras under controlled conditions.

Nikon S5100 front Nikon S5100 screen back Nikon S6100 front Nikon S6100 screen back

You can notice sharper detail and more vibrant colors from the S6100, especially in daylight landscapes and textured fabrics in portraits. The S5100 maintains smoother gradations and less harsh noise transitions in shadows under subdued lighting.

Overall Performance Breakdown and Ratings

Let’s step back and score key performance areas to contextualize strengths and weaknesses.

Analyze these with your shooting priorities in mind. For example, if portability trumps zoom reach or interface prettiness, the S5100 shines.

Discipline-Specific Shooting Efficiencies

To further clarify which camera suits your needs, here’s a quick rundown of performance across popular photography types.

• Portraits: S6100’s face detection AF and higher resolution deliver better subject isolation and skin texture capture.
• Landscape: S6100’s higher megapixels and zoom breadth offer more framing versatility, though neither camera exhibits notably high dynamic range.
• Wildlife: S6100’s 7x zoom and faster AF system provide modest wildlife shooting advantages over the S5100’s 5x zoom.
• Sports: Neither camera targets sports shooters but S6100’s improved AF tracking and frame rate make it more competent at casual action.
• Street: S5100’s smaller form factor makes it slightly less conspicuous, but S6100’s touchscreen enables faster composition adjustments.
• Macro: S5100 edges macro work with closer focusing distance and faster wide aperture for more background blur.
• Night/Astro: Both sensors are limited for astro; S5100’s cleaner noise at low light helps night shots marginally.
• Video: S6100 wins for codec support and HDMI output.
• Travel: Weigh the S5100 for lightness versus the S6100 for extended zoom and battery life.
• Professional Use: Limited by lack of RAW, viewfinder, and advanced controls but S6100’s manual focus and better ISO support fewer workflow headaches.

Final Takeaway: Who Should Buy Which?

Both cameras represent capable little tools for casual to enthusiast photographers seeking portability and simplicity. Yet your choice depends on balancing resolution, zoom needs, interface preferences, and shooting scenarios.

• Choose the Nikon S5100 if you prioritize compact size, ease of use, and slightly better low-light noise. It is an excellent pocket camera for everyday snapshots, light travel, and macro projects on a budget.
• Opt for the Nikon S6100 if you need a longer zoom range, enhanced autofocus with face detection, a modern touchscreen interface, and better video codec support. It’s more versatile for portraits, travel, wildlife, and casual sports photography.

While neither camera challenges modern mirrorless or smartphones in image quality or features, for their era and price points, both represent solid options. The S6100’s evolutionary advances over the S5100 merit its slight edge for users wanting more control and flexibility.

In short, these Nikon compacts embody the classic trade-offs of small sensor cameras: portability and simplicity against limited manual control and image quality ceilings. Armed with this detailed side-by-side, you can confidently pick the compact companion that fits your photographic aspirations and everyday demands.

Happy shooting!