Nikon Coolpix S6100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4: A Hands-On Comparison for the Sharp-Eyed Photographer

In the vast and colorful world of compact cameras, it’s easy to get lost among the myriad of models vying for your attention - especially when technologies and user priorities vary wildly. Today, we’re peeling back the specs and examining two intriguing contenders released around the early 2010s: the Nikon Coolpix S6100 (hereafter Nikon S6100) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 (henceforth Panasonic TS4). While both cameras sport the 'compact' badge, they cater to quite different photographic souls - the Nikon leans toward general casual use with its zoom versatility and touchscreen, while the Panasonic touts rugged durability (waterproofing!) and more advanced video specs.

Having tested thousands of cameras, I can say that none of the specifications tell the whole story by themselves. What matters most is how these devices perform across the diverse photographic disciplines we as photographers care about. So buckle up: we’re diving deep into sensor performance, shooting ergonomics, autofocus responsiveness, weather readiness, and practical day-to-day usability.

Let’s start where size really counts.

Size and Handling: Compact Yet Distinct Personalities

The Nikon S6100 and Panasonic TS4 may both flaunt compact form factors, but their design philosophies couldn’t be more different. The Nikon is a svelte, pocket-friendly camera, measuring 98x58x27 mm and weighing just 175g - downright featherlight for a compact camera of its era. It’s slim and curved, making it a cinch to slip into a small bag or even a trouser pocket.

The Panasonic TS4, while still compact, is bulkier and heavier at 103x64x27 mm and 197g. That extra heft actually contributes to a solid, reassuring grip essential for a waterproof rugged camera. Its squarer, more industrial design signals its true intent - to go places you’d hesitate to take other cameras: the beach, hiking trails, even shallow underwater shoots.

The TS4 forgoes touchscreen input in favor of physical button controls - a boon when your hands are wet or gloved. The Nikon’s touchscreen introduces some finesse but can be fiddly in bright sunlight or fast-paced scenarios.

In real-world use, the Nikon’s lean design easily blends into everyday life, making it ideal for street or travel photography where subtlety or lightweight gear matters. The Panasonic requires you to commit a little more space and weight but rewards you with rugged confidence.

User Interface and Controls: Touchscreen Intuition vs Rugged Reliability

Looking down from above, the Nikon S6100's top control layout reveals a minimalist, modern approach. The power button and shutter release are ergonomically positioned near the right edge, with a zoom toggle that feels responsive. The 3-inch touchscreen LCD at the back offers a crisp 460k-dot resolution with anti-reflection coating, enabling clearer visibility in outdoor conditions. Touch sensitivity allows quick frame focusing and menu navigation - satisfying once you get past the learning curve.

Conversely, the Panasonic TS4 sticks to traditional physical buttons, eschewing touchscreen capabilities on its smaller 2.7-inch, 230k-dot TFT LCD. The buttons have a firm tactile feedback necessary for underwater or glove use. The layout prioritizes quick access to commonly used features like ISO, exposure compensation, and white balance, essential in dynamic shooting environments where tactile confidence replaces touchscreen finesse.

Neither camera boasts an electronic viewfinder, so composing relies exclusively on their rear screens. For me, the Nikon’s larger, more vibrant screen edges out the Panasonic in bright light usability - though for adventure shooters who might find themselves underwater or in harsh weather, the Panasonic’s rugged buttons provide undeniable advantage.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences

At face value, both cameras feature a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor - a standard size for compact cameras - but with slight dimensional and resolution variations that impact image fidelity.

• Nikon S6100: 16MP resolution at 4608x3456 pixels, 6.17x4.55 mm sensor dimensions, area about 28.07 mm², native ISO from 80–3200.

• Panasonic TS4: 12MP resolution at 4000x3000 pixels, 6.08x4.56 mm sensor dimensions, area about 27.72 mm², native ISO from 100–6400.

The Nikon’s higher pixel count theoretically grants more detail, especially when cropping or printing larger formats, but it comes at the expense of individual pixel size - potentially leading to more noise in low light. The Panasonic opts for fewer pixels but offers higher maximum ISO, which may yield cleaner results in dim environments, especially when combined with its Venus Engine FHD processor dedicated to noise reduction.

Because both employ CCD sensors - older technology compared to modern CMOS - their dynamic range and high ISO performance trail behind today’s standards. In my tests shooting controlled RAW-equivalent JPEGs (remember, neither supports RAW capture), both cameras showed visible noise creeping in past ISO 800, with the Panasonic handling ISO 1600 better due to its more advanced processing pipeline.

Color reproduction was fairly balanced, though the Nikon exhibited a slightly cooler color temperature out of the box, requiring manual white balance nudges, whereas the Panasonic’s colors leaned warmer but more saturated - a matter of taste and post-processing preferences.

Neither camera delivers the punch expected from APS-C or full-frame models, but for casual snapshots and web sharing at modest sizes, both suffice - with the Panasonic pulling ahead in high ISO noise and dynamic range by a small margin thanks to refined image processing.

Autofocus, Speed & Burst: Catching the Moment or Missing the Beat?

Autofocus performance is often the make-or-break aspect for capturing fleeting moments, and here the contrast is stark.

Nikon S6100 employs a 9-point autofocus system with contrast detection only and features face detection to help nail focus on human subjects. However, its continuous shooting speed clocks in at a sluggish 1.0 fps - which in practical terms means it’s essentially a single shot camera when it comes to action.

Panasonic TS4, on the other hand, offers 23 autofocus points with contrast detection and adds continuous AF during live view and burst shooting at up to 4 fps. It lacks face detection but makes up for it with faster acquisition and tracking abilities.

In my experience photographing fast-moving street scenes and some light wildlife with these cameras, the TS4’s autofocus was noticeably more responsive and accurate in continuous shooting mode - though neither camera can hold a candle to more advanced DSLRs or mirrorless systems. The Nikon’s autofocus felt a bit sluggish, and its burst rate made it practically impossible to catch decisive split-second moments.

If you are chasing sports, wildlife, or fast action, the Panasonic offers the bare minimum acceptable responsiveness, while the Nikon is best left to posed portraits or still life.

Photographic Versatility: Lenses and Mag Step-ups

Both cameras feature fixed lenses, typical in compact designs, but their zoom ranges address different photography niches:

• Nikon S6100 packs a compelling 28-196mm equivalent zoom (7x), great for anything from wide-angle landscapes to moderate telephoto shots. The maximum aperture ranges from F3.7 at the wide end to F5.6 at tele.

• Panasonic TS4 has a shorter zoom at 28-128mm (4.6x), aperture ranging F3.3 - F5.9, optimized for rugged use rather than reach.

While Nikon’s far end zoom is impressive for a compact, the image quality beyond ~100mm focal length degrades noticeably due to optical compromises - a familiar trade-off in small sensor cameras. Panasonic’s zoom is more limited but maintains better edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the range, benefitting from its intended casual and underwater user base.

Neither camera features interchangeable lenses - so plan your photographic excursions with the zoom limits in mind.

For macro lovers, the Nikon has a closer focusing capability down to 3cm, slightly better than the Panasonic’s 5cm. Both have optical image stabilization - helpful in the absence of tripod use - though keep expectations modest: handheld macro work benefits from steady hands or supplemental stabilization gear.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Will Yours Survive the Wild?

Here’s where the Panasonic TS4 pulls sadly ahead with confidence and flair.

The Nikon S6100 is built like an everyday compact. Lightweight and not weatherproof, it lacks any specialized sealing against dust or moisture. Drop it in puddles or shoot in dusty hikes at your own risk.

Panasonic TS4, marketed heavily as a “tough” camera, delivers notable ruggedness:

• Waterproof to 12 meters
• Shockproof from drops up to 2 meters
• Crushproof (to a certain extent)
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Dustproof capability

This environmental resilience comes at a size and weight premium but is invaluable if you want your camera on sandy beaches or snowy mountaintops without worrying about damage.

Moreover, the TS4 adds internal storage options alongside SD cards - a welcome safety net if your memory card fails mid-adventure.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who needs durability as much as image quality, the Panasonic TS4 is your default winner here. Nikon’s S6100 instead appeals more to indoor or controlled lighting environments.

Night and Low-Light Handling: Which One Brings Nightscapes Alive?

Both cameras struggle in low light, but let’s break down nuances:

The Nikon tops out at ISO 3200, but beyond ISO 800 images become murky and noisy, often with a loss of detail. Its maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec is ample for freezing action, but the minimum shutter speed of only 4 seconds limits long exposure possibilities in astrophotography without additional gear.

Panasonic's native ISO extends to 6400, doubling the sensitivity range, although noise levels increase accordingly. It offers maximum shutter speed of 1/1300 sec and a far longer minimum shutter speed of 60 seconds, enabling real long exposure shots - stars, light trails, and creative blur effects are possible. Coupled with optical image stabilization, the Panasonic facilitates handheld low-light shooting better, though tripod use remains ideal for best results.

From my nighttime tests, Panasonic’s longer shutter speed and higher ISO capability make it better suited for moonlit landscapes and casual astro shoots. The Nikon’s limitations restrict it more to well-lit scenes or artificial lighting.

Video and Multimedia: More Than Just Still Photos?

In a time when video capabilities are crucial even in small cameras, these two take very different approaches.

• Nikon S6100 records HD video up to 1280x720p at 30 fps, using MPEG-4 or Motion JPEG formats with no manual focus or exposure control during recording and no continuous autofocus. It lacks microphone or headphone ports - so audio quality depends entirely on its built-in (and modest) mic.

• Panasonic TS4 steps up with full HD video capability at 1920x1080p with 60 or 30 fps options and also supports 720p/60fps for smoother slow motion. It uses better video codecs (MPEG-4 and AVCHD), providing superior compression and quality. Like the Nikon, it lacks external mic input, but its video quality and frame rates are a clear advantage.

Both cameras have optical image stabilization that helps smooth handheld footage, but the Panasonic’s more advanced processing yields clearer, less noisy videos especially in dim conditions.

If video plays any role in your creative work, the Panasonic TS4 simply eclipses the Nikon.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

Battery endurance is where the TS4’s rugged pedigree continues:

• Nikon S6100 rates for about 210 shots per charge using the EN-EL12 battery - modest, but adequate for casual instants and day trips.

• Panasonic TS4 boosts to around 310 shots per battery charge, courtesy of a more efficient Venus Engine and possibly greater battery capacity.

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC connectivity - hardly surprising given their age but a notable omission in today’s wireless convenience world. Both do provide USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for tethering and image transfer.

Given that modern users prize instantaneous sharing, consider how these limitations impact your workflow, especially if you rely heavily on on-the-go editing and uploading.

Real-World Test Gallery: How Do They Stack Up in Practice?

Nikon S6100 front Nikon S6100 screen back Panasonic TS4 front Panasonic TS4 screen back

Looking at side-by-side sample images from varied environments makes the comparison concrete. The Nikon’s images possess slightly more resolution and edge crispness on well-lit daylight portraits and landscapes. However, Panasonic’s output holds up better in shaded or complex dynamic range scenarios with smoother gradations and fewer blown highlights.

Close-ups show Nikon’s macro focusing edge, revealing more texture, while Panasonic’s zoomed shots maintain more consistent sharpness across focal lengths.

In video frames, Panasonic’s richer detail and smoother motion are evident.

How Do They Rate? Objective Scores Meet Practical Wisdom

While neither was DXO-mark tested officially, other review sources assign approximate ratings placing Panasonic TS4 slightly ahead overall owing to its ruggedness, autofocus, video, and battery life. Nikon S6100 scores favorably on size, zoom reach, and touchscreen usability but falls short on speed and robustness.

For genre-specific strengths:

• Portraits: Nikon's slightly higher resolution and face detection aid skin tones and framing; Panasonic lacks face detect but autofocus speed helps.
• Landscapes: Panasonic’s dynamic range and weather resistance give it an upper hand.
• Wildlife: Neither ideal, but Panasonic’s faster burst makes it marginally better.
• Sports: Both limited; Panasonic’s continuous AF and burst shooting help but remain modest.
• Street: Nikon’s slimness and touchscreen help blend in; Panasonic bulkier but rugged.
• Macro: Nikon rivals better macro focus distance.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic supports longer shutter speed and higher ISO.
• Video: Panasonic leads with 1080p/60fps support.
• Travel: Nikon’s portability vs Panasonic’s versatility in harsh environments.
• Professional: Neither matches prosumer or professional systems but serve as capable backups or casual devices.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which?

After putting these cameras through their paces, my verdict captures the essence best:

• Choose the Nikon Coolpix S6100 if...

You want an ultra-light, user-friendly compact with impressive zoom range and a sleek touchscreen interface for casual everyday photography. Street photographers, families capturing portraits, or travelers looking for convenience and simplicity will find this camera approachable and enjoyable. That said, low-light and action photography will test its limits.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 if...

You crave a rugged camera that doesn’t flinch in challenging environments - think beach days, ski trips, hikes, poolside adventures - and want better video capabilities and longer battery life. This model suits outdoor enthusiasts valuing durability and decent all-around imaging instead of zoom reach or touchscreen bells. Its more responsive autofocus and exposure options make it better for dynamic shooting.

To Sum Up

Both cameras deserve their place in the compact camera arena. The Nikon S6100 impresses with zoom versatility and usability, optimized for straightforward shooting under controlled conditions. The Panasonic TS4’s true strength lies in its resilient design and slightly more versatile feature set, especially for outdoors and video.

I recommend you weigh your photographic priorities and typical shooting scenarios carefully. If you find yourself prone to adventurous exploits or need that extra shutter speed and weatherproof confidence, lean toward Panasonic. For casual portraits, street shoots, or travel where bulk is a concern, Nikon is the friendlier companion.

Whichever you choose, bear in mind these models reflect their release era's technology constraints - small sensors and limited features compared to today's mirrorless giants. But for enthusiasts looking for budget-friendly, specialized compacts, the S6100 and TS4 remain worthy considerations.

Happy shooting!