Nikon Coolpix S800c vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3: Compact Camera Showdown for Every Photographer

When stepping into the realm of compact cameras, two very different beasts often cross paths - the versatile, tech-forward Nikon Coolpix S800c and the rugged, go-anywhere Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3. Both launched in the first half of the last decade, each earned loyal followings by addressing distinct photography needs. But putting these cameras side by side reveals a fascinating study in trade-offs between style, performance, durability, and user experience.

As someone who’s tested thousands of cameras under various conditions - tracking autofocus accuracy on wildlife shoots, shooting portraits, traversing landscapes, and capturing fleeting street moments - I’m excited to unpack these two contenders for you. What exactly does each camera offer, and for whom? Let’s dive in.

Form Factor and Handling: Which Fits Your Hand and Lifestyle?

The moment you pick up a camera, ergonomics and size become tangible factors. The Nikon S800c weighs just 184 grams and measures 111x60x27 mm; the Panasonic TS3 comes in slightly heavier at 197 grams and is a bit more compact at 103x64x27 mm.

At first glance, the Nikon’s slightly longer but narrower body feels sleek, almost gadgety - more of a lifestyle pocket camera, designed to blend into casual settings. The Panasonic, on the other hand, exhibits a chunkier, grippy form tailored for harsh environments. The transport-ready feel of the TS3, with rubberized grips and chunky buttons, appeals especially to adventure photographers who prioritize durability.

Holding both, I found the Nikon more comfortable for one-handed operation - its tapered edges are easy to grasp, and the button placement feels intuitive for quick shooting. The Panasonic’s buttons are larger and more tactile, built for gloved hands, but the body is a little boxier, which might feel clunky for smaller hands.

If portability and everyday carry are key, the Nikon edges out slightly. For rugged adventures, the Panasonic’s no-nonsense ruggedness is hard to beat.

Top Controls and Interface: Quick Access Versus Simplicity

Ease of use comes from well-designed controls. I inspected comprehensive top views of both cameras to analyze layout and feedback.

Nikon packs a front command dial beside the shutter button, a feature typically reserved for DSLRs and micro four thirds bodies - great for exposure tweaking if only those modes were present here! A dedicated touchscreen makes up most of the interface. Controls are limited, reflecting its compact roots, but at least the touchscreen OLED is bright and sharp, lending itself well to tap-to-focus and quick menu navigation.

The Panasonic TS3 opts for large, clearly labeled physical buttons - power, shutter, zoom, and mode dial - prioritizing reliability over flashy UI. No touchscreen here, but a simple, weather-sealed interface is arguably better in wet or cold conditions.

Overall? Nikon's touchscreen-centric system is more modern and flexible; Panasonic’s physical controls are rock-solid and easy to manipulate in rough environments. Your choice depends on what you value: modern responsiveness or rugged practicality.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor tech is king in image quality. Both feature 1/2.3" sensors - a common compact standard - but the Nikon’s sensor is a 16-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS, while the Panasonic uses a 12-megapixel CCD sensor.

Backside illumination (BSI) technology gives Nikon better light gathering efficiency, particularly notable in low-light scenarios and for dynamic range. Despite a higher pixel count, the Nikon generally delivers sharper, more detailed images with less noise at higher ISOs, up to 3200 native ISO. The Panasonic can push ISO 6400 but noise quickly becomes an issue, with significant grain and color degradation past ISO 800.

The Nikon's maximum resolution is 4608x3456 pixels, compared to Panasonic’s 4000x3000 - translating roughly to 16MP versus 12MP. That extra resolution alongside BSI CMOS tech allows for better cropping flexibility and larger print sizes from Nikon files.

Another plus for Nikon: its sensor supports contrast-detect autofocus with 9 focus points and face detection. The Panasonic offers 11 focus points, continuous autofocus, and tracking, but its CCD sensor struggles comparatively under low light.

For landscape shooters craving fine detail and vibrant, noise-free images, Nikon takes the cake. Panasonic leans toward casual use where ruggedness trumps pixel-peeping.

LCD Screens and User Experience: Viewing the World Through Your Camera

The rear screen is your window to composition and review. Nikon’s S800c sports a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen panel with impressive resolution of 819k dots, coated with an anti-reflection layer. Panasonic's TS3 offers a 2.7-inch TFT LCD with just 230k dots and no touchscreen capabilities.

I can’t overstate how much of a difference the Nikon’s vibrant OLED display makes for framing and reviewing shots - even outdoors in sunlight - compared to the dimmer, lower-res LCD on Panasonic. The touchscreen enables intuitive focus selection and menu access without relying on physical buttons, speeding workflow.

Of course, in wet or snowy adventures, a touchscreen can be finicky - Panasonic’s straightforward, button-driven interface shines here for sheer reliability.

In sum, Nikon provides a richer preview and easier interaction; Panasonic keeps things simple but solid.

Sample Shots Speak Louder: Output Quality Under Real Conditions

Raw specs are one thing, but actual image results matter most. Here are comparative sample images taken side by side under diverse lighting: portraits, landscapes, and close-up macros.

Nikon S800c front Nikon S800c screen back Panasonic TS3 front Panasonic TS3 screen back

Look at the portraits: Nikon captures more natural skin tones and smoother background blur given the longer 25-250mm equivalent zoom with an aperture range starting at f/3.2. The Panasonic’s 28-128mm range is shorter, and with an f/3.3 maximum aperture and smaller zoom range, bokeh is less pronounced.

In the landscape shots, Nikon's 16MP sensor picks up finer textures and shadow detail, aided by better dynamic range handling. Panasonic’s CCD sensor renders slightly softer details and clips highlights more readily, especially in bright conditions.

For macro photos, Panasonic’s close focusing at 5cm compared to Nikon’s 10cm offers a slight edge in magnification for tight shots. Both have optical image stabilization, which helps with handheld precision.

Bottom line: Nikon’s images are generally punchier and sharper, with a more versatile zoom. Panasonic shines where subject distance is short and situations are rougher.

Overall Performance: Eye Detection, Autofocus, and Burst Shooting

Here’s the rubber meets road: how well do these cameras track moving subjects, acquire focus, and keep up with action?

The Nikon’s 8 frames per second burst rate is impressive among compacts but lacks continuous autofocus during burst shots - a limitation for sports and fast wildlife. Panasonic lags on frame rate at 4 fps but supports continuous autofocus, which may actually produce better results capturing moving subjects, albeit at half the speed.

Face detection on Nikon aids portrait and street photographers in keeping their subjects sharp and in focus, a crucial advantage.

For sports shooters or wildlife chasers, neither is ideal compared to prosumer or DSLR models. But for casual athletes or birdwatchers, Nikon's faster shooting or Panasonic's continuous AF deliver modest benefits depending on shooting style.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Built for the Wild or the Living Room?

One decisive difference is Panasonic’s rugged credentials. Under the hood, the Lumix TS3 touts waterproofing, dustproofing, shockproofing, and freezeproofing - think underwater, dusty trails, accidental drops, and cold weather all handled without a blink.

Nikon’s S800c offers zero environmental sealing.

If your photography adventures involve unpredictable elements - beach trips, hiking, snorkeling - the Panasonic TS3 is the go-to companion. Nikon’s sleek design can’t match Panasonic’s resilience in challenging environments.

Video Capabilities: Is Either a Hybrid Shooter’s Dream?

Both cameras can record full HD video, but Panasonic steps ahead with 1080p at 60 fps compared to Nikon’s 1080p at 30 fps. Higher frame rates allow smoother slow-motion effects and generally crisper motion capture.

Supported codecs vary too: Panasonic uses both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, favored for better compression and quality, whereas Nikon sticks with MPEG-4 and H.264.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone ports, forcing users to rely on built-in audio - a limitation for serious videographers.

Neither supports 4K recording or advanced video features such as log profiles or zebra patterns.

For casual videographers, Panasonic’s smooth 60 fps offers a little extra polish. Nikon's video output remains solid but basic.

Battery Life and Connectivity: How Long Will You Shoot? And How Easily Do You Connect?

Panasonic TS3 delivers roughly 310 shots per charge, more than double Nikon’s 140 shots - a significant difference if you spend hours roaming without recharge options.

Regarding connectivity, Nikon includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, enabling easy image sharing and geotagging on the spot. Panasonic lacks wireless connectivity but also offers GPS.

Both provide HDMI output for direct playback and USB ports (Nikon with faster USB 3.0).

If you travel and want wireless image transfer, Nikon is a step ahead - though battery considerations mean Panasonic may outlast Nikon on multi-day hikes.

Price and Value Assessment: What Are You Really Paying For?

Street prices vary slightly, with Nikon’s Coolpix S800c around $290 and Panasonic TS3 about $380.

The Nikon is less expensive but emphasizes touchscreen convenience, a higher-resolution sensor, and built-in Wi-Fi. The Panasonic commands a higher price mostly due to its rugged design and superior battery endurance.

Ultimately, you pay for what aligns with your shoot style: portability and image quality vs. durability and longevity.

In Summary: Picking the Right Camera for Your Passion

Examining all aspects together, here’s how I would recommend these two compacts based on use case:

Portrait Photography

Nikon’s better sensor, face detection, and longer zoom help capture flattering portraits with pleasant background separation. Panasonic has less appealing bokeh and lacks face recognition.

Landscape Photography

Nikon’s higher resolution and broader dynamic range produce images with richer detail and color fidelity; ideal for large prints. Lack of weather sealing is a drawback for outdoor work, though.

Wildlife Photography

Neither perfect, but Nikon’s faster burst speed helps capture fleeting moments better. Panasonic’s continuous AF helps with movement but lower frame rate may miss key shots.

Sports Photography

Neither excels. Nikon’s higher fps aids quick action; Panasonic’s tracking autofocus is an assist. For serious sports, look elsewhere.

Street Photography

Nikon’s compact size, silent-ish shutter options, and face detection make it slightly more discreet. Panasonic is bulkier and rugged, less ideal for low-profile shooting.

Macro Photography

Panasonic’s shorter minimum focus distance gives a small edge for close-ups. Both offer stabilization but Nikon has better resolution for detail.

Night and Astro Photography

Nikon’s BSI CMOS sensor handles low light better, producing cleaner images at ISO 3200. Panasonic’s CCD struggles with noise even at lower ISOs.

Video Shooting

Panasonic supports smooth 1080p 60fps video, better for motion and slow-mo; Nikon sticks to 30fps max.

Travel Photography

Panasonic’s ruggedness, longer battery life, and weather sealing make it a trusted partner off the beaten path. Nikon’s slimmer profile and wireless transfer fit urban travel better.

Professional Workflows

Neither supports RAW nor advanced exposure modes, so they’re limited to casual or enthusiast use rather than pro-grade workflows.

Final Thoughts: Who Wins This Compact Camera Duel?

If I had to sum it up: choose the Nikon Coolpix S800c if you prioritize image quality, intuitive touchscreen control, and tech-friendly features like Wi-Fi - especially if your shooting stays mostly indoors or urban. It’s a sharp little camera for casual portrait, landscape, and street photographers who want swift responsiveness and vibrant output without fuss.

Opt for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 if your adventures routinely toss your gear into harsh environments, and durability, battery life, and rugged reliability come first. Its waterproof, shockproof chassis paired with a decent zoom and continuous autofocus make it a practical choice for outdoorsy enthusiasts and travelers who need their camera to just keep going where others can’t.

No smoke and mirrors here - both cameras carry compromises inherent to their focused designs. But knowing these strengths and limits will help you pick the one that truly fits your photography lifestyle.

Embarking on a camera purchase journey is exciting, and I hope this detailed head-to-head helps you navigate the compact camera maze with confidence. As always, test the cameras if you can, feel how they fit in your hand, and imagine your photography unfolding through their lenses. Happy shooting!