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Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

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
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Nikon S5100 versus Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was launched 19 months later than the S950 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the S5100 grades versus the S950 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Sony S950

 S5100 S950 
RevealedAugust 2010February 2009Fresher by 19 months

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Nikon S5100

 S950 S5100 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Sony S950

 S5100 S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon S5100 enjoys external measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S5100 versus Sony S950 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S5100 and the S950.

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and S950 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The graphic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S5100 and S950.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon S5100 to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The more modern S5100 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 Portrait photography information
Sony S950 Portrait photography information
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
26
focusing manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 Street photography factors
Sony S950 Street photography factors
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (132g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S950 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S5100
Travel photography with Sony S950
62
lighter than average in class (132 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
50
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low MP (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 Landscape photography information
Sony S950 Landscape photography information
32
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S5100
Vlogging with Sony S950
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (132 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
9
no video
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Nikon S5100 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Sony S950
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S5100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-08-17 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 2cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model EN-EL10 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $200 $130