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Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Introduced September 2010
Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Old Model is Nikon S9500
  • Updated by Nikon S9900
Photography Glossary

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Nikon. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the S8100 (12MP) and S9700 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S8100 was launched 4 years prior to the S9700 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S8100 grades against the S9700 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Nikon S9700

 S8100 S9700 

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Nikon S8100

 S9700 S8100 
LaunchedFebruary 2014September 2010More modern by 41 months

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Nikon S9700

 S8100 S9700 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon S8100 has got external measurements of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9700 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

Check the Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the S8100 compared to the S9700.

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S8100 and S9700 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The picture below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S8100 and S9700.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon S9700 to give more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged S8100 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S8100
Portrait photography with Nikon S9700
26
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
37
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S8100 Street photography details
Nikon S9700 Street photography details
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 Sports photography features
Nikon S9700 Sports photography features
38
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
53
amazing zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8100 Travel photography information
Nikon S9700 Travel photography information
55
has built in flash
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (750mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S8100
Landscape photography with Nikon S9700
32
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
45
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S9700 as a Vlogging camera
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
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Nikon S8100 vs Nikon S9700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Nikon S9700
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Nikon Coolpix S9700
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix S8100 Nikon Coolpix S9700
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-09-08 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 160 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-300mm (10.0x) 25-750mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.7-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash modes - TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 gr (0.40 pounds) 232 gr (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 300 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $299 $350