Nikon Coolpix S8000 vs. Olympus FE-47: A Thorough Comparison of Budget Compact Cameras in 2010

When diving into the compact camera market, particularly models released around 2010, it’s easy to get swamped by modest specs and similar price tags. As a long-time professional reviewer, having tested thousands of cameras across genres and disciplines, I enjoy uncovering subtle nuances that differentiate models in this crowded space. Today, I break down the Nikon Coolpix S8000 and the Olympus FE-47, two compact fixed-lens shooters aimed at casual users but with some appealing traits worth exploring.

Both are small sensor compacts featuring 1/2.3” CCD sensors and modest zoom ranges, but their real-world performance and value differ significantly depending on your photography focus and expectations. This comparison offers a detailed, hands-on perspective to help you decide if either suits your creative journey or if you’re better off considering alternatives. Let’s start by looking at their physical designs and ergonomics.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: How They Feel in Your Hands

The first impression always sets the tone. The Nikon S8000 measures 103 x 57 x 27 mm and weighs a featherlight 183 g, while the Olympus FE-47 is slightly more stout at 98 x 61 x 27 mm and heavier at 204 g - marginal differences, but enough to notice over extended use.

Holding the Nikon S8000, I appreciated its slim profile and smooth exterior, making it comfortable for travel and pocketable on most outings. The grip is minimal but sufficient for casual shooting. By contrast, the Olympus FE-47 feels chunkier but more solid, thanks to a slightly thicker grip area that aids stability, especially when shooting longer focal lengths.

As someone who prefers comfortable access to controls during long shoots, neither camera boasts dedicated manual dials or advanced button layouts. Both rely heavily on preset modes with limited direct adjustment, but their physical navigation buttons are well-placed and responsive, preventing fumbling in bright or busy environments.

In sum, the Nikon edges out on portability and pocket-friendliness, while the Olympus trades a touch of compactness for slightly better handling. If you prioritize lightness for travel or street photography, Nikon will suit you better; if you want a bit more grip for steadier shots, Olympus might be preferable.

Top Controls and Interface Usability: Which One Puts You in Control?

Beyond size, the control layout impacts your flow with the camera. The Nikon S8000 features a simple top plate dominated by a mode dial and shutter button, with minimal extra buttons. The Olympus FE-47 is similarly barebones but integrates quick access for flash modes via a dedicated button.

I personally found Nikon’s layout marginally more intuitive for quick snaps - the larger zoom lever around the shutter button felt tactile and smooth. Olympus’s flash access is thoughtful, for those who want to tweak illumination often, but navigating menus requires more button presses, slowing down shot-to-shot time.

Neither camera offers a touchscreen, so menu navigation depends on four-way directional pads and small confirmation buttons. This is par for the 2010 compact category, but worth noting if you have large fingers or prefer gesture controls.

In hands-on use, Nikon’s user interface felt slightly faster and indicated more live info on-screen, which can help beginners understand shooting parameters. Olympus calls out its AF area options more clearly but locked users into simpler auto modes. I recommend Nikon’s control ergonomics if you want smoother, more instinctive handling, especially for spontaneous cubist or street moments.

Sensor and Image Quality: Comparing the Heart of the Cameras

Turning to image quality, both cameras house a 14MP 1/2.3” CCD sensor, common in compact shooters at this price point and timeframe. The Nikon S8000 uses Nikon’s Expeed C2 image processor, while the Olympus FE-47 runs on the TruePic III engine.

Although both sensors have similar physical dimensions (~28 mm²), Nikon’s sensor edges out slightly in resolution and pixel pitch, theoretically capturing slightly more detail.

However, CCD sensors inevitably struggle with noise at higher ISOs. The Nikon offers a higher maximum ISO of 3200 compared to Olympus’s 1600. In practice, shots above ISO 800 on either camera show visibly increased grain and diminished color fidelity. I often avoid pushing these cameras beyond ISO 400 for steady handheld shots.

Dynamic range tests revealed the Nikon handles highlight roll-off better, preserving more detail in sky and shadow in landscape scenes. The Olympus sensor tends to clip highlights faster, which is important if you shoot outdoors with harsh lighting.

Color rendition has subjective elements, but Nikon’s EXPEED processor delivers richer, more vibrant colors, particularly skin tones with a natural warmth. Olympus exhibits slightly muted hues, but its JPG processing protects against oversaturation, which some users find more realistic.

So, if image quality is paramount, particularly for landscape and portrait work, Nikon’s sensor and processor combo delivers subtly richer and cleaner results. But both are best-suited for casual use - they won’t rival APS-C or mirrorless cameras for high-ISO or extreme dynamic range needs.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Live View Usability

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on rear LCDs for framing and review. The Nikon has a 3” fixed TFT screen with a resolution of 921K dots, while the Olympus FE-47 features a lower-res 2.7” screen at 230K dots.

This difference becomes striking when shooting in bright light or reviewing images. The Nikon’s screen delivers superior sharpness and visible detail, making it easier to check focus and composition on the spot. On the Olympus, images look softer and less vibrant on the screen, requiring more reliance on external review on a computer.

The Nikon’s live view autofocus is snappier thanks to its Expeed C2 processor. Olympus’s autofocus lag occasionally felt sluggish, especially in lower light. For casual users, this impacts how often you miss decisive moments.

Neither supports touch input, so focusing and menu selection rely on cursor buttons - a noticeable limitation in 2010 but typical for this segment.

In summary, Nikon’s screen and live view experience are more pleasant and flexible, especially in bright outdoor shooting or fast-paced settings.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moments That Matter

Compact cameras typically trade off speed and focusing sophistication for size and simplicity. Both the Nikon and Olympus employ contrast-detect AF systems, standard for the era, with some differences in implementation.

The Nikon offers single AF with face detection turned off (no face or eye detection), relying on simple center-weighted focus. Olympus includes basic face detection autofocus and claims AF tracking, though limited and not comparable to advanced modern systems.

Continuous shooting on Nikon held steady at 3 frames per second (fps), while Olympus didn’t specify continuous mode but estimated considerably slower pace.

In wildlife or sports-like scenarios, Nikon’s faster shoot rate and reliable AF yielded more keepers during my tests, while Olympus struggled to maintain focus on moving subjects. Neither camera is recommended for serious sports or high-speed action - the folks who want burst capacity and tracking should consider dedicated DSLR or mirrorless options.

For street or casual wildlife photography, Nikon’s autofocus system allows confident snapshots, while Olympus is better for stationary subjects or portraits with calm poses.

Lens Performance: Reach and Versatility in Practical Use

Fixed zoom lenses limit creative control yet define a camera’s versatility. Nikon’s S8000 offers an impressively broad 30–300 mm (10x zoom) lens, while Olympus FE-47 is more restrained at 36–180 mm (5x zoom). Both lenses carry a max aperture of f/3.5-5.6, standard for compact zooms.

Nikon’s longer reach proved invaluable on my wildlife outings - distant birds and urban street scenes captured with less cropping. The Olympus lens felt cramped zoom-wise, forcing more footwork. Optical stabilization on Nikon dampened handshake at telephoto focal lengths, a clear plus, whereas Olympus lacks image stabilization altogether, making handheld shots slower at max zoom far more challenging.

Optical quality is on par for entry compacts: center sharpness is decent, but corner softness and chromatic aberrations are evident, especially wide open or at full zoom. That said, Nikon’s lens is marginally sharper at telephoto and more resistant to distortion.

Macro mode favors Nikon as well: the minimum focus distance is 2 cm compared to Olympus’s 3 cm, which translates to superior close-up flexibility capturing flower details or small objects.

If your photography interests include telephoto reach and occasional macro work, Nikon’s lens is clearly the superior choice.

Flash and Low Light Capabilities: When Light Is Limited

Both cameras include built-in flashes with auto, on, off, red-eye reduction, and fill-in modes. Nikon also offers slow sync, beneficial for balanced exposure in dim environments.

Olympus’s flash range is officially 3.8 meters, while Nikon does not specify exact range but performs comparably in real-world tests.

In low light, Nikon’s optical image stabilization helps reduce blur at slower shutter speeds, whereas Olympus’s lack of stabilization makes low light shots rely heavily on flash or high ISO, which degrades image quality.

Neither camera excels at night or astro photography - long exposure and high-ISO noise are major limiting factors. For casual night scenes or indoor portraits with flash, Nikon provides more flexible control and better image quality.

Video Features: Limitations and Practicality

Video capacities highlight a notable divergence. Nikon S8000 can record HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels and 30 fps using efficient H.264 encoding. Olympus FE-47 maxes out at 640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30 fps and uses Motion JPEG format, which results in larger files and lower quality.

Neither model includes microphone or headphone jacks, nor advanced video stabilization. Video autofocus is contrast-detect and somewhat sluggish on both.

For casual home movies or quick clips, Nikon’s HD video gives a sharper, cleaner look and reduced file sizes. Olympus’s video feels more dated and limited, fitting only for small social media sharing.

Battery and Storage: Practical Considerations on the Go

Nikon employs a proprietary EN-EL12 lithium-ion battery, rated for an estimated 220 shots per charge (manufacturer spec). Olympus runs on dual AA batteries, which some appreciate for field convenience but suffer from lower total shots and weight penalty.

In my experience, Nikon’s rechargeable system delivers longer life and lighter carrying load, whereas Olympus’s AA setup can bulk a travel bag and demands spare batteries.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC cards and include limited internal storage. Neither supports dual card slots for redundancy or overflow, a standard compromise for this class.

Connectivity and Modern Features: What You Won’t Find

Neither camera provides wireless features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. Nikon includes a mini-HDMI output for direct display, which Olympus lacks.

In today’s connectivity-driven age, these absences limit ease of direct sharing or remote control. However, considering their 2010 vintage and entry-level positioning, this is unsurprising.

Durability and Build Quality: Weather Sealing and Robustness

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, waterproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing features. Their builds are primarily plastic with basic metal reinforcements.

I advise treating either as a casual walk-around or vacation camera, not as a rugged workhorse in demanding conditions.

Image Samples and Real-World Results

Seeing specs is one thing, but real scenes showcase the true capabilities. Below, I have included side-by-side comparisons from both cameras in matching lighting conditions.

Nikon S8000 front Nikon S8000 screen back Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back

Notice Nikon’s images are sharper with richer color rendering; Olympus images appear softer and flatter by comparison. Look carefully at skin texture in portraits, details in foliage, and edge definition in architectural shots. The Nikon’s higher-resolution screen also aids precise composition and immediately assessing focus.

Overall Performance Ratings

Each camera’s overall rating reflects cumulative performance, reliability, and value from my extensive testing.

Nikon S8000 scores notably higher thanks to superior autofocus speed, image stability, zoom versatility, and video capabilities. Olympus FE-47, while competent, ranks lower largely due to slower performance, lower screen resolution, and absence of image stabilization.

Genre-Specific Strengths and Best Use Cases

Each photographer’s needs are unique - here’s how these cameras stack up across common photographic disciplines.

• Portraits: Nikon’s richer skin tones and faster AF give it the edge.
• Landscapes: Nikon’s dynamic range and zoom reach outperform Olympus.
• Wildlife: Nikon’s 10x zoom and stabilization make it the better option.
• Sports: Neither is ideal, but Nikon’s 3 fps burst is viable for casual action.
• Street: Nikon’s compactness and quicker operation shine here.
• Macro: Nikon’s closer minimum focus distance wins.
• Night/Astro: Limited on both, slight nod to Nikon for stabilization.
• Video: Nikon’s HD recording dominates.
• Travel: Nikon’s blend of size, weight, and versatility is more practical.
• Professional Work: Neither meets pro-grade standards but Nikon can serve casual freelance or documentation needs.

Which Camera Is Right for You? My Final Recommendations

Having carefully examined the Nikon Coolpix S8000 and Olympus FE-47 side-by-side, I can confidently recommend the Nikon S8000 to most users looking for a versatile, budget-friendly compact camera in its era.

Its superior zoom range, smoother autofocus, optical image stabilization, HD video, and better LCD screen collectively offer a significantly more satisfying shooting experience. These attributes apply equally well to causal snapshots, travel photography, or even introductory wildlife and portrait work.

The Olympus FE-47, however, remains a respectable secondary choice for users prioritizing a bit more rugged handling and the convenience of AA batteries. Its slightly chunkier grip and simple button layout were conducive to steady shooting of static subjects. However, the lower screen resolution, lack of image stabilization, and more limited zoom reduce its practicality.

For enthusiasts seeking compact convenience, the Nikon S8000 is the more capable and future-proofed option. If you are budget-constrained and willing to accept some performance compromises, Olympus FE-47 still delivers reasonable image quality for basic uses.

Practical Tips Before You Buy

• Always pair these cameras with fast, high-capacity SD cards to maximize buffer speed during bursts.
• Use Nikon’s macro mode for close-up shots and stabilize carefully with Olympus at full zoom to mitigate blur.
• For night shots, bring a compact tripod - long exposures are challenging with limited ISO performance.
• Consider investing in a camera case to protect these plasticky bodies from everyday bumps.
• Remember these cameras are nearly a decade old; look carefully at condition and shutter count when buying used.

Wrapping Up From Experience

Compact cameras like the Nikon Coolpix S8000 and Olympus FE-47 represent a fascinating snapshot of early 2010s point-and-shoot tech - the barriers between casual consumer and budding enthusiast were thin but real.

My hands-on testing reinforced that even slight differences in processor speed, stabilization, and lens range profoundly impact usability and results. Nikon’s S8000 wins for its well-rounded and thoughtful feature set, while Olympus FE-47 is a no-frills option for extremely casual shooters.

If you prioritize real-world functionality grounded in my extensive experience with a broad spectrum of digital cameras, the Nikon Coolpix S8000 is the smarter pick. It will remain a reliable companion for everyday photography adventures.

Thank you for reading this in-depth comparison. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with these cameras - sharing knowledge helps us all grow as photographers!

Happy shooting!