Nikon Coolpix S5200 vs S6100: A Hands-On Compact Camera Face-Off

In the vast and sometimes bewildering world of digital cameras, small sensor compacts still harbor a surprising appeal for casual shooters, travelers, and enthusiasts seeking simplicity. Today, we’re diving deep into two Nikon compacts often overshadowed by their mirrorless and DSLR siblings but worthy of careful consideration: the Nikon Coolpix S5200 (2013) and the Nikon Coolpix S6100 (2011). I’ve spent considerable time with both in diverse shooting scenarios, from forgiving indoor portraits to unforgiving outdoor daylight landscapes, and even some casual wildlife and street snaps. Let’s unpack their qualities, quirks, and value with the thoroughness the discerning photographer deserves.

Size, Build, and Handling: Compactness Meets Practicality

Understanding a camera’s physicality - how it feels and functions in your hands - is critical. After all, no matter how good the specs, a camera too awkward or flimsy won't make it out the door.

Both the S5200 and S6100 belong to Nikon’s thin and light Coolpix “S” series compacts, designed for portability. The S5200 is notably lighter and slimmer at 146g and 22mm thick compared to the S6100’s 175g and 27mm depth. This subtle but tangible difference gives the S5200 a sleeker, pocket-friendly profile ideal for travel and street photography when discretion matters.

Ergonomically, neither camera offers a particularly cushioned grip typical of higher-end compacts, but the S6100’s marginally heftier body provides a firmer feel - something to consider if you’re prone to hand fatigue during extended shooting sessions.

In terms of controls, the S6100 wields a small but practical touchscreen LCD - a rare feature back in 2011 - which facilitates intuitive menu navigation and focus selection. The S5200 opts for a more conventional physical button layout devoid of touch, which might suit shooters preferring tactile feedback but sacrifices some speed and flexibility in operation. Both models lack a viewfinder, relying entirely on their rear LCDs, which situates them firmly within the casual snapshot territory rather than enthusiast pro use.

In sum, the S5200 wins on portability and streamlined design, while the S6100 edges ahead on tactile control and user interface responsiveness.

Sensor Architecture and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

The sensors in both cameras measure 1/2.3 inch - a common compact sensor size - but the S5200 employs a modern BSI-CMOS sensor, whereas the S6100 inherited Nikon’s older CCD technology. This distinction explains one of the largest performance chasms between these two.

Due to the back-illuminated design, the S5200’s sensor captures light more efficiently, particularly in lower light conditions. This translates to cleaner images with reduced noise at higher ISOs compared to the S6100’s CCD. Both sensors output 16MP at 4608x3456 resolution, but pixel-level quality and noise handling are markedly better on the S5200.

Practically, in portrait sessions indoors or in dim cafes, the S5200 produces noticeably smoother skin tones with less digital grain. The CCD sensor of the S6100, while capable of excellent color rendering in bright outdoor conditions, tends to show harsher noise and color shifts in shadows and midtones as ISO climbs above 200.

That said, dynamic range - how well the sensor retains detail in highlights and shadows - is limited on both due to small physical sensor size. Expect clipping in bright skies or deep shadows, especially in challenging landscape scenes. Neither camera offers RAW format shooting, mandating reliance on JPEGs processed in-camera, limiting flexibility for serious post-processing.

LCD and Interface: The Visual Command Center

Your primary window to framing and camera setup is the rear LCD, and both cameras offer a 3-inch screen with 460k dot resolution. But there’s more to the story than just size.

The S6100’s touchscreen is a distinct advantage, enabling tap-to-focus and easier menu scrolling. This is especially beneficial when shooting spontaneously on the street or composing tricky macro shots where precise focus point placement matters. The S5200’s non-touch display responds quickly to button presses but lacks this direct interaction.

Both screens utilize TFT LCD with anti-reflection coatings to improve outdoor visibility; however, reflections remain a challenge in bright sunlight. Neither camera has articulated or tilting displays, limiting compositional flexibility for low- or high-angle shots.

For photographers reliant on fast live view focusing or reviewing images in the field, the S6100’s touchscreen responsiveness makes daily shooting smoother, though the S5200’s simpler approach may appeal to minimalists.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility in Your Pocket

The lens is the ultimate creative tool in any camera, and here we see measurable differences.

• Nikon S5200: 26-156mm equivalent (6x optical zoom), fixed aperture
• Nikon S6100: 28-196mm equivalent (7x optical zoom), f/3.7 to f/5.6 variable aperture

The S6100’s longer zoom range offers more reach, especially useful for wildlife or distant subjects, albeit at the narrower end of aperture spectrum (which means less light gathering capability in telephoto). The S5200’s lens begins a touch wider at 26mm, giving slightly better framing options indoors and for landscapes.

Neither model provides manual aperture control; exposure modes are fully automatic or preset-driven, making these primarily point-and-shoot style cameras. The S6100 features a macro mode with a close focusing distance of 3cm, facilitating close-up shots with commendable detail - a point where the S5200’s macro capabilities are comparatively limited or unspecified.

When testing handheld zoom shots, the S6100 benefits from optical image stabilization (lacking in the S5200), greatly improving sharpness at the longer end and in lower light. This absence in the S5200 often necessitates higher ISO or faster shutter speeds, increasing image noise or risk of blur.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Neither camera targets the professional’s rapid-fire needs, but autofocus and burst shooting stats reveal their niche use cases.

The S6100 employs a contrast-detection AF system with nine focus points including face detection and tracking features - quite sophisticated for its class. Although it offers only 1fps continuous shooting, focus tracking aids in maintaining sharpness on moving subjects in ideal conditions.

In contrast, the S5200 lacks autofocus area selection and tracking altogether, relying on a single, fixed AF detection zone with no face detection capabilities. This severely limits its use for shooting unpredictable subjects like children, pets, or street scenes where focusing speed and flexibility are vital.

The shutter range is identical on both cameras (4-1/2000 sec), sufficient for general daylight photography but restrictive for creative long exposures or high-speed sports action.

From experience, the S6100’s more advanced AF delivers better results for casual wildlife or informal sports shots, while the S5200 feels more at home with stationary subjects or landscapes where autofocus precision isn’t as time-critical.

Flash and Low Light Capabilities

Both models include built-in flash, but their implementation differs.

The S6100’s flash reaches up to 4.5 meters with multiple modes including red-eye reduction, while the S5200’s flash range isn’t specified and offers fewer options. The S6100’s optical stabilization and superior sensor performance also combine to offer more flexible low light shooting envelopes.

Neither camera is equipped for professional-level ambient light or fill flash control, nor do they provide external flash connectivity. In challenging indoor or night conditions, images may suffer from noise and softness beyond what a compact’s small sensor can counterbalance.

Video Recording Features

Video is an ever-present demand in today’s cameras, so how do these two compare?

• Nikon S5200: Full HD 1080p video at unspecified frame rates; no microphone or headphone ports
• Nikon S6100: HD 720p video at 30fps; video encoded in MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG

The S5200’s higher resolution video is attractive on paper but real-world testing reveals no significant improvement in detail, partly due to sensor and processing limitations. The absence of image stabilization in video mode on the S5200 leads to shakier clips, while the S6100’s optical image stabilization yields stabilizer-smooth footage despite the lower resolution.

Neither camera supports advanced video features such as manual exposure controls, external audio inputs, or high frame rates for slow-motion, constraining them to casual video roles like family clips or travel vlogging.

Battery Life and Storage

The S6100 outperforms the S5200 somewhat in battery endurance with an official rating of 210 shots per charge versus 160 shots, an appreciable difference given the cameras’ otherwise similar footprints. Both use proprietary rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries - EN-EL12 for S6100, EN-EL19 for S5200.

Both models accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards in a single slot, granting ample storage flexibility for JPEG images and video. USB 2.0 connections provide basic data transfer; however, only the S6100 supports HDMI output for direct display on TVs - handy when sharing images domestically.

Wireless connectivity includes built-in Wi-Fi on the S5200, facilitating easier smartphone transfers - a useful modern convenience missing from the S6100.

Real-World Shooting: Sample Images and Genre Suitability

During side-by-side field trials covering portraits, landscapes, street photography, and informal wildlife, each camera revealed distinct tendencies.

Nikon S5200 front Nikon S5200 screen back Nikon S6100 front Nikon S6100 screen back

Portraits: The S5200’s smoother tonal gradation and lower noise in mid-ISO portraits is its strong suit. However, the lack of face detection meant more missed focus opportunities. The S6100 captured slightly sharper faces with consistent focus but noisier skin tones under dim light.

Landscapes: Both delivered acceptable image quality in bright conditions but flared highlights and shadow noise were visible under high contrast. The S5200’s wider 26mm lens offered broader scenes, while the S6100’s longer zoom was more suited to detailed nature snaps.

Wildlife and Sports: The S6100’s autofocus performance and zoom range made it better for tracking moving subjects, despite its slow 1fps burst rate restricting action series. The S5200’s fixed AF zone and absence of stabilization yielded fewer keepers in these dynamic situations.

Street Photography: The lightweight S5200 encouraged more spontaneous shooting thanks to its portability and quiet operation (no touch feedback noises). Conversely, the S6100’s touchscreen, while helpful for quick focus adjustments, can draw unwanted attention.

Macro: The S6100’s dedicated macro mode and minimal 3cm focus distance enabled more effective close-ups compared to the S5200, which lacked macro specification and struggled with precise focusing at short distances.

Night and Astro: Neither camera excelled due to limited ISO range, absence of manual controls, and small sensors. The S5200’s noise control was better but neither is recommended for serious night photography.

Build Quality and Environmental Performance

Both cameras are typical entry-level compacts - not weather sealed or shockproof. They’re best sheltered from moisture and dust, so plan accordingly based on your locale.

Price, Value, and Who Should Buy Which

Considering current market prices (S5200 approximately $130, S6100 about $195) and feature sets, these compact cameras have distinct user archetypes.

• The Nikon Coolpix S5200 is ideal for budget-conscious travelers, casual family photographers, and beginners seeking a pocketable camera with decent image quality and modern conveniences like Wi-Fi. Its simpler interface and lighter body make it less intimidating for non-technical users.

• The Nikon Coolpix S6100, despite being two years older, offers greater zoom versatility, better autofocus control, and optical stabilization. It suits enthusiasts wanting more creative control, occasional telephoto reach, and smoother video without stepping up to more complex systems.

Neither camera truly competes with the mirrorless and DSLR systems Nikon offers for professional or advanced amateur needs. Yet, within the niche of small sensor compacts, they both carve out useful roles.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

To summarize, here is how these cameras perform in different photography areas:

• Portraits: S5200 leads with better noise and color but limited AF versatility.
• Landscapes: Equal footing with a slight advantage to S5200’s wider lens and sensor tech.
• Wildlife: S6100 better with AF and zoom; low frame rate remains a bottleneck.
• Sports: Neither ideal; S6100’s AF tracking marginally helps with slow action.
• Street: S5200’s compactness makes it more discrete; S6100 offers flexible controls.
• Macro: S6100’s dedicated mode gives it the edge.
• Night/Astro: Neither recommended; moderate low-light use favors S5200.
• Video: S5200 offers higher resolution; S6100 provides smoother footage via stabilization.
• Travel: S5200 wins on portability and wireless; S6100 on zoom and battery life.
• Professional: Neither suited for professional assignments requiring RAW, weather sealing, or advanced controls.

Final Thoughts: Which Nikon Small Sensor Compact Is the Better Buy?

Both Nikon Coolpix S5200 and S6100 compact cameras reflect their era’s technology while serving distinct user needs. The S5200 shines as a lightweight, Wi-Fi enabled pocket camera offering modern sensor tech with good image quality for everyday snapshots and travel photography. Meanwhile, the older S6100 asserts itself through superior zoom reach, tactile touchscreen control, image stabilization, and macro flexibility.

Neither model pushes boundaries for professional or serious enthusiast photography, but both serve as solid, simple companions when you value convenience, quick operation, and affordable entry into photography. Your choice between them should hinge on your priorities: grab the S5200 for travel portability and modern conveniences, or the S6100 if zoom flexibility and control matters more.

Happy shooting!

Appendices and Technical Specs Tables (for reference)

[Insert detailed specs comparison table here if desired]

This detailed side-by-side assessment merges hands-on experience with technical insights to empower you to make a well-informed Nikon compact camera selection tailored to your photography style and needs.

Thank you for reading!

End of article