Nikon Coolpix S5300 vs Nikon Coolpix S9900: An Expert’s In-Depth Comparison of Nikon’s Compact Zooms

When I look at Nikon’s compact zoom lineup from the mid-2010s, two models often come up for casual and enthusiast photographers: the Coolpix S5300 and the more advanced Coolpix S9900. Both cameras promise versatility and convenience packed into small bodies, but if you’re deciding between them, the devil’s in the details. Which one serves your shooting style better? Are the upgrades in the S9900 worth the price difference? Let’s dig deep, inspecting everything from sensor performance to handling, autofocus, and photographic versatility across genres I’ve tested personally for thousands of cameras - and provide you with clear recommendations based on real-world use.

Size and Handling: Compact vs Slightly Bigger

Right off the bat, the size difference stands out. The S5300 is a true pocketable compact, ultra-light at just 138 grams and slim dimensions (97x58x21mm). The S9900, while still relatively compact, is noticeably chunkier at 289 grams and almost double the thickness (112x66x40mm). This leaps out in day-to-day use especially if you carry the camera for street or travel photography.

The S9900’s larger body offers a more substantial grip and more button real estate, which I appreciate during longer shoots or when quick access matters. The S5300’s ultra-slim design feels a bit toy-like and a tad cramped, lacking a dedicated viewfinder or enough tactile controls. If you prioritize pocketability and minimal weight, the S5300 remains a winner, but those who want better ergonomics won’t balk at the S9900’s added bulk.

Control Layout and Interface: Usability Wins

Now, how much does the design aid your workflow? A glance at their top-down layouts reveals important trade-offs.

The S9900 offers more versatile manual exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority and full manual) and physical controls for exposure compensation - surprisingly absent on the S5300, which leans heavily toward full auto. This affects creative control, especially for enthusiasts who like to tweak settings on the fly. The articulation and higher-resolution screen on the S9900 (3” at 921k dots vs. fixed 460k dot TFT on the S5300) also provide a better monitoring experience outdoors and at awkward angles.

On the other hand, neither camera has a viewfinder nor touchscreen, something worth noting if you crave those modern conveniences. The lack of touchscreen on both models makes navigation slower compared to current standards, but the S9900’s larger and articulated screen offsets that somewhat.

Sensor and Image Quality: Identical Tech, Different Results

Both models carry the same sensor technology - a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with 16MP resolution - common for small sensor compacts but no match for larger APS-C or full-frame offerings. The sensor dimensions (6.17x4.55mm) and total area (28.07mm²) set a practical limit on dynamic range and noise performance.

Though the sensor is identical in size and pixels, the S9900 benefits from improved image processing thanks to a more advanced image pipeline, resulting in slightly better color fidelity and noise control in my tests. Both cameras suffer from limited dynamic range (a common shortfall of 1/2.3” sensors), but the S9900 handles highlights and shadows with marginally more grace, thanks to better multi-segment metering and exposure compensation.

Despite the specs listing max ISO 6400 on both, usable quality drops harshly past ISO 800 in most scenes. For portraits or landscapes, plan for good lighting or use supplemental flash with these cameras.

Lens and Zoom Range: Telephoto Bragging Rights

One of the most significant differences is the zoom lens: The S5300 offers an 8x zoom from 26-208mm equivalent, while the S9900 boasts an impressive 30x zoom reaching 25-750mm. That’s a massive jump in reach on the S9900.

For wildlife or sports enthusiasts who can’t carry heavy gear, the S9900’s superzoom lens opens opportunities for distant subjects. But be aware of variable maximum apertures - F3.7-6.6 on the S5300 and F3.7-6.4 on the S9900 - which both get quite narrow toward the telephoto end, reducing low-light capabilities and bokeh smoothness.

The S5300’s lens is more compact and slightly brighter at the long end, which helps stabilization and handholding. The S9900, though larger, features a macro focus as close as 1 cm, making it more versatile for close-ups.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Contrast-Detect Focusers

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems with face detection but lack phase-detection AF.

The S5300 lists 99 AF points (though mostly center-weighted only) and the S9900 improves on this by offering AF multi-area, face detection, and continuous AF with live view - the latter being a big plus for video shooters.

Both manage a burst shooting speed of roughly 7 frames per second, decent for compact cameras but insufficient for dedicated sports shooters. AF accuracy and tracking fare well indoors and on static subjects but falter under fast-moving scenarios or low contrast. Not ideal if you’re chasing birds or sports, but fine for casual snapshots.

Video Capabilities: Functional but Not Prosumer Grade

Both cameras handle Full HD video with MPEG-4/H.264 compression, though the S9900 supports 1080p at various frame rates including 60i and 50i interlaced modes, while the S5300 sticks to 1080p 30fps.

Neither camera offers 4K video or microphone/headphone jacks, restricting video creativity and audio quality. The S9900’s articulated screen improves video composition flexibility. Optical image stabilization is present on both, aiding steady handheld footage.

If video is a serious factor, you might want to look elsewhere - these models are more casual shooters than filmmakers.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Here’s a clear winner: The S9900 boasts an impressive 300 shots per charge versus the S5300’s modest 180. For travelers or long outings without recharging options, this is a significant benefit.

Both utilize the same battery pack (EN-EL19) and support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot, which is standard but limiting - no dual cards or CFexpress here, naturally.

Connectivity and Extras: The S9900 Leaps Forward

Connectivity is a mixed bag: Both have built-in wireless (Wi-Fi), but the S9900 adds NFC for simpler pairing with smart devices and includes built-in GPS - a boon if geotagging your adventure shots is important.

Both cameras offer USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, but no Bluetooth or modern USB-C, reflecting their era.

The S9900 supports timelapse recording, a handy creative feature missing on the S5300.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Not Rugged, Not Designed for Harsh Conditions

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. The S9900’s slightly more robust body feels better in hand but won’t withstand heavy outdoor abuse.

For landscape or travel photographers shooting in unpredictable weather, that means extra caution or protective accessories.

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down how the S5300 and S9900 handle specific use cases, based on my hands-on tests and field experience.

Portrait Photography

Skin tones rendered by small sensor compacts tend to veer towards slightly washed or plasticky in tricky light, but both cameras surprisingly do a decent job under good lighting. The S9900’s enhanced processing gives it a slight edge in natural skin rendering, and face detection autofocus works well in stationary portraits.

However, neither camera offers impressive bokeh. The narrow maximum apertures and small sensor size limit pleasing background blur, so expect everything in clinical focus. Eye detection autofocus would’ve been a welcome feature, but neither supports it.

Landscape Photography

Outdoor landscape shooting demands dynamic range and resolution - 16MP is decent but the small sensor restricts tonal latitude.

The S9900 marginally outperforms the S5300 thanks to better exposure control and a slightly wider zoom range starting at 25mm versus 26mm optically insignificant but practically worthwhile. Neither has weather sealing - keep that in mind for rugged locations.

Use a tripod to maximize sharpness and bracket exposures if you want HDR-like results because the sensors struggle in scenes with high contrast.

Wildlife Photography

Here, the S9900 is a clear favorite with its 30x zoom lens (25-750mm equivalent) compared to the S5300’s modest 8x. It brings distant birds and animals into reach, but autofocus isn’t lightning fast or extremely accurate on erratic subjects.

The burst rate is acceptable but not high-end. A more serious wildlife shooter needs faster AF and higher fps, plus an APS-C or full-frame sensor with better low-light performance, but for casual wildlife photos the S9900 is your pick.

Sports Photography

Both cameras have modest continuous shooting speeds (~7 fps), which sounds promising but is hampered by slow AF tracking and limited buffer memory. Neither camera provides pro-level tracking accuracy.

Low-light performance also suffers due to small sensors and slow lenses, making these less than ideal for fast indoor sports or dim arenas.

Street Photography

For stealth and portability, the S5300 shines, thanks to compact size and quiet operation. The S9900’s bulk makes it less discreet, though its articulated screen can help capture shots from unusual angles.

Low-light performance remains a key limitation; both cameras rely on stable handholding and decent illumination to avoid noise.

Macro Photography

Here, the S9900 has a definite advantage with its 1cm macro focus, permitting tight close-ups with decent detail. The S5300 lacks a specified macro range, limiting close focusing abilities.

However, stabilization and focusing precision on tiny subjects remain challenging for both.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither camera excels here - small sensors, limited ISO performance, and absence of manual bulb mode or RAW support restrict creative night shots.

The S9900’s longer max shutter (up to 8 seconds) beats the S5300’s 4 seconds, offering more exposure time flexibility. If you’re serious about stars or night landscapes, look to cameras with larger sensors and dedicated manual controls.

Video Use

For casual HD video, both cameras suffice, but the S9900 edges ahead thanks to 60i recording capability and articulated screen. Optical stabilization helps with handheld shots.

Don’t expect advanced video features or audio control - these models serve amateur videographers with basic needs.

Travel Photography

If I were packing a travel camera based on these two, I’d weigh portability against versatility. The S5300’s slim profile and light weight favor minimalism; the S9900’s longer zoom and better battery life favor comprehensive coverage.

Photojournalists or vacation shooters would appreciate the Wi-Fi and GPS on the S9900 for efficient sharing and location tagging.

Workflow and Professional Use

Forget professional workflows here. Neither model supports RAW capture or tethering, and file formats are limited to compressed JPEGs and standard video. Those needing extensive editing latitude or integration into photo studio environments won’t find satisfactory features here.

Summary of Technical Strengths and Weaknesses

My Final Recommendations

• If you want an ultra-compact, budget-friendly everyday camera for casual snaps, street photography, and travel where a small footprint is paramount - the Nikon S5300 delivers solid performance with an easy-to-use interface and respectable image quality for its class. It’s an excellent beginner model or a lightweight backup.

• If you crave a versatile zoom range, better ergonomic control, longer battery life, and enhanced features for wildlife, travel, and casual video - the Nikon S9900 is definitely worth the price premium. Its longer lens reach, articulated screen, more exposure options, and GPS connectivity make it better suited for enthusiast photographers who want creative flexibility without hopping into DSLR territory.

• Don’t buy either camera if your focus is on professional-grade image quality, RAW shooting, or demanding sports and low-light performance. There are better options in Nikon’s mirrorless and DSLR lines or competitors with larger sensors.

Final Thoughts and Personal Experience

Having tested both extensively, I found the S9900 to be the better all-rounder for enthusiasts who want shooting control and reach without a lot of bulk. The S5300 feels like a simple point-and-shoot relic by comparison, but it still has charm for those prioritizing ultra-portability.

Whether you pick the S5300 or S9900, remember small sensor compacts have inherent limitations. Understanding these helps manage expectations and maximize enjoyment. Happy shooting!

Sample Gallery: Real-World Image Comparisons

Below is a selection of unedited sample images from both cameras across various conditions: daylight portraits, telephoto wildlife, landscapes, and nighttime shots. Observe fine detail, noise levels, and color rendition differences.

Nikon S5300 front Nikon S5300 screen back Nikon S9900 front Nikon S9900 screen back

This concludes my expert comparative analysis of the Nikon Coolpix S5300 and S9900. If you want to see detailed hands-on shooting examples or my video review break down these cameras, feel free to reach out. I’m always keen to help you find your perfect camera match.