Nikon Coolpix S800c vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2: Which Compact Sensor Camera Suits You Best?

Choosing between compact cameras from Nikon and Panasonic - two stalwarts in photography gear - can be challenging without a detailed, experience-driven comparison. Today, we pit the Nikon Coolpix S800c against the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2, both small-sensor compacts released around the early 2010s. Despite their similar form factors and sensor sizes, their capabilities differ enough to warrant a deep dive. Drawing from hands-on testing methods refined over thousands of camera evaluations, this review looks beyond specs to real-world usability, image quality, and value, enabling you to make an informed choice.

Hands-On With the Bodies: Size, Build & Ergonomics

At first glance, both the Nikon S800c and Panasonic S2 are decidedly compact, but details matter when considering pocketability for daily or travel use.

• Nikon S800c: Weighing 184g with dimensions 111 x 60 x 27 mm, it offers a comfortable grip for my medium-sized hands and feels solid without being bulky. The slightly larger size accommodates a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen with anti-reflection coating, which I appreciated outdoors for its clarity.

• Panasonic S2: Notably lighter at 112g and smaller at 98 x 57 x 21 mm, the S2 excels in portability. However, its smaller 2.7-inch TFT LCD with 230K resolution feels cramped and less vibrant, especially in bright daylight, limiting framing precision somewhat in harsh conditions.

Ergonomic tradeoff: Nikon’s size affords better handling and a superior screen, while Panasonic’s favors ultraportability. Your choice depends on whether handling comfort or compactness is paramount.

Interface & Controls: Navigating Complexity in a Compact Shell

Neither camera offers manual focus or exposure controls, reflecting their point-and-shoot lineage. Still, nuances in their user interface influence shooting ease.

• Nikon S800c: Touchscreen interface makes menu navigation intuitive, supported by a logical layout of physical buttons atop the right shoulder. I found the touch controls responsive and welcome for quick focus or setting adjustments - a significant advantage for users who prioritize speed.

• Panasonic S2: Lacking touchscreen capabilities, Panasonic relies on buttons and a traditional directional pad with a simpler menu system. This limits flexibility but can appeal to users who dislike touchscreen smudges or prefer tactile feedback.

Both cameras dispense with electronic viewfinders, relying solely on rear LCDs. Given the S2’s lower-res screen, framing for action or in bright light may be less precise.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras deploy 1/2.3-inch sensors - a compact format common in pocket cameras - but with differing technologies and resolutions that impact image quality.

Technical observations:

• The Nikon S800c’s BSI-CMOS sensor offers higher sensitivity and generally better noise performance under low light compared to the Panasonic’s traditional CCD. BSI sensors improve photon capture efficiency, a benefit I confirmed during test shoots in dim interiors.

• Despite the S2’s higher max ISO rating on paper (6400 vs. 3200), practical usability tops out closer to ISO 800-1600 before noise becomes intrusive.

• The Nikon captures slightly higher resolution images (4608 x 3456 px vs. 4320 x 3240 px), lending an edge in cropping flexibility and landscape detail representation.

Image rendering: Nikon images deliver better dynamic range, retaining shadow and highlight details noticeably. Color depth is more vibrant without oversaturation. Panasonic images appear flatter with reduced contrast, likely a consequence of its CCD sensor characteristics and older processing engine.

In real-world photography applications - portraits, landscapes, street - sensor differences translate into Nikon producing more usable images across diverse lighting.

Zoom Lenses: Reach and Sharpness

Fixed zoom lenses define these cameras’ versatility.

• Nikon S800c: 25-250 mm equivalent (10x zoom) with max aperture f/3.2-5.8
• Panasonic S2: 28-112 mm equivalent (4x zoom) with max aperture f/3.1-6.5

I found Nikon’s 10x zoom extremely useful for wildlife and travel, granting flexibility without swapping gear. The Panasonic’s shorter zoom range limits framing options, better suited for portraits and casual snapshots.

Optically, neither lens is exceptional wide-open - expect softness and chromatic aberrations at tele ends - but stopping down slightly improves results. Nikon’s lens showed better sharpness and contrast at mid-zoom focal lengths during side-by-side testing.

Screen Technology: Framing and Reviewing Your Shots

The Nikon’s large, bright OLED with anti-reflective coating is a significant plus. Reviewing images and menu navigation are pleasant, and the touchscreen enables quick focus point changes - particularly useful in dynamic shooting.

The Panasonic’s smaller TFT LCD (2.7-inch, 230k dots) feels dated, especially for critical focus checks or outdoors. Lack of touch further limits speed and ergonomics.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy Under the Lens

While neither camera is designed for advanced AF systems, differences here impact candid or fast-action shooting.

In practice, Nikon’s 9-point system with face detect and AF tracking performed faster and more consistently in low light and moving subjects - beneficial for street and casual wildlife shots.

Panasonic’s more points (23) did not translate into a faster AF experience in my tests. Its single AF mode was slower and hunting was more frequent under challenging lighting.

Speed and Burst Shooting: Capturing the Action

If you shoot sports or fast-moving subjects, burst rate matters.

• Nikon S800c: 8 fps continuous shooting
• Panasonic S2: 2 fps continuous shooting

Nikon’s significantly higher frame rate allows you to capture fleeting moments much more reliably. The Panasonic’s 2 fps hampers action photography, limiting you to occasional shots rather than rapid sequences.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

For casual video use:

Nikon offers Full HD video with more efficient compression, resulting in better quality and longer recording times on a single card. Panasonic provides HD but limited to 720p, with less efficient MJPEG format producing larger files.

Neither supports external microphones - a drawback for serious videographers but typical for compact cameras in this generation.

Nikon S800c front Nikon S800c screen back Panasonic S2 front Panasonic S2 screen back

Putting it All Together: Image Gallery Insights

Examining sample images from both cameras reveals the practical implications of the above specs.

• Portraits (skin tones, background blur): Nikon produces more natural skin tones and smoother bokeh thanks to better lens reach and sensor performance. Panasonic’s portraits often look flatter and less refined.
• Landscapes (dynamic range, resolution): Nikon’s images retain more detail in skies and shadows, with better sharpness corner to corner. Panasonic struggles with dynamic range, leading to blown highlights.
• Wildlife & Sports: Nikon’s longer zoom and faster AF make it the better choice for capturing wildlife and sports, though neither will excel compared to dedicated cameras.
• Street & Travel: Panasonic’s smaller size is an advantage in stealth and portability, but Nikon’s bigger screen and quicker AF improve the shooting experience.
• Low Light & Night: Nikon’s BSI sensor handles high-ISO noise better, yielding cleaner night shots.

Battery Life and Storage: Long Haul Considerations

The Panasonic S2 wins hands down here:

• Panasonic: Approximately 280 shots per charge
• Nikon: Approximately 140 shots per charge

For travelers or event shooters, Panasonic’s battery endurance and support for internal storage (in addition to SD cards) provide peace of mind.

Connectivity and Extras

• Nikon S800c: Built-in GPS, USB 3.0, HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi
• Panasonic S2: USB 2.0 only, no GPS, no Wi-Fi, no HDMI

Nikon’s modern connectivity improves workflow integration and geotagging capabilities - a strong point for travel photographers keen on organizing images.

Performance Summary Scores

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

• Portraits: Nikon excels with better skin rendition and bokeh control
• Landscape: Nikon’s dynamic range superiority is key
• Wildlife: Nikon’s zoom and AF speed provide an edge
• Sports: Nikon’s burst rate and AF tracking better suit action
• Street: Panasonic’s compactness aids discretion; Nikon’s ergonomics favor longer use
• Macro: Both offer macro modes, Panasonic reaching closer minimum focus distance (5 cm vs 10 cm)
• Night/Astro: Nikon’s BSI sensor wins for noise control and exposure control
• Video: Nikon’s Full HD, modern codecs, and HDMI out improve video use
• Travel: Panasonic’s light weight and longer battery help, but Nikon’s versatility is a plus
• Professional Work: Neither is targeted here - both limited by sensor size and lack of manual controls

Final Verdict: Which Compact Camera Should You Buy?

Choose the Nikon Coolpix S800c if:

• You want superior image quality and better low-light performance
• You prioritize a larger, touchscreen-friendly LCD for framing and menus
• You need longer telephoto reach for wildlife or travel
• Video recording capability is important to you
• You want integrated GPS and modern connectivity
• You prefer faster autofocus and burst rates for occasional action

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 if:

• Ultralight, compact size and portability matter most
• You mostly shoot in bright daylight and casual settings
• Battery life longevity is a priority for extended outings
• Budget constraints push you towards a less expensive option
• You don’t mind slower autofocus and shorter zoom range

Concluding Thoughts

While both cameras belong to the same compact sensor class and share a similar market niche, the Nikon S800c clearly demonstrated better overall performance in image quality, autofocus, zoom reach, and user experience during extensive side-by-side field testing. Its modern sensor technology and useful features make it a versatile choice for enthusiasts wanting a point-and-shoot with respectable handling and shooting options.

The Panasonic DMC-S2 trades off some of that sophistication for a smaller, lighter form factor and excellent battery life, making it a competent budget-friendly compact when ultimate quality isn’t the priority.

Why you can trust this review: Having rigorously tested both cameras under varied shooting conditions, ranging from macro and landscapes to fast-paced street situations, I provide balanced firsthand insights to help photographers of all levels understand practical strengths and make choices that match their ambitions and shooting style.

For anyone seriously considering either model, testing the ergonomics and image samples firsthand - if possible - is advisable, as compact cameras live and die by how comfortable and intuitive they feel in your hand.

Happy shooting!