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Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 Key Specs

Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced August 2010
Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon S9500
  • Updated by Nikon S9900
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Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Nikon. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the S5100 (12MP) and S9700 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was released 4 years earlier than the S9700 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the S5100 grades vs the S9700 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Nikon S9700

 S5100 S9700 

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Nikon S5100

 S9700 S5100 
ReleasedFebruary 2014August 2010Newer by 42 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Nikon S9700

 S5100 S9700 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S5100 enjoys physical measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Nikon S9700 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

See the Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the S5100 versus the S9700.

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and S9700 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The picture underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S5100 and S9700.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon S9700 to show more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged S5100 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S9700 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
37
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S5100
Street photography with Nikon S9700
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (232g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S5100
Sports photography with Nikon S9700
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
53
amazing zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 Travel photography details
Nikon S9700 Travel photography details
62
lighter than competition in class (132g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
69
lighter than competition (232 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 Landscape photography features
Nikon S9700 Landscape photography features
32
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
45
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 Vlogging information
Nikon S9700 Vlogging information
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (232 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
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Nikon S5100 vs Nikon S9700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Nikon S9700
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Nikon Coolpix S9700
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix S5100 Nikon Coolpix S9700
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-08-17 2014-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 99
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-750mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.7-6.4
Macro focus distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lbs) 232 gr (0.51 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 300 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL10 EN-EL12
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $200 $350