Nikon Coolpix S810c vs Olympus Stylus SH-1: A Thorough Comparison for Compact Superzoom Enthusiasts

In the landscape of compact superzoom cameras, the Nikon Coolpix S810c and Olympus Stylus SH-1 represent two compelling options released in the spring of 2014. While both target users seeking versatile zoom ranges and portability, each brings distinctive approaches in features, imaging capabilities, and usability. Leveraging my extensive experience testing thousands of cameras - including numerous compacts and superzooms - this article delivers an in-depth, side-by-side analysis focusing on the practical implications for various photography disciplines and use cases. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of which model better serves your creative and budgetary needs.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

When choosing a compact superzoom, physical dimensions and ergonomics can significantly affect usability, especially during prolonged shooting sessions or travel. Here, the Nikon S810c and Olympus SH-1 trade some interesting punches.

Dimensions and Weight:

• Nikon S810c: 113mm × 64mm × 28mm; 216g
• Olympus SH-1: 109mm × 63mm × 42mm; 271g

The Nikon is visibly slimmer and lighter - advantageous for portability and discreet street photography or travel. The Olympus, bulkier and heavier by about 55 grams, feels more substantial in-hand but still manageable for a pocketable superzoom.

Grip and Controls:

Despite its compact size, the S810c offers a cleanly designed body with a flat profile, lacking a pronounced grip, which can affect handling stability. The touchscreen (3.7 inches, the larger of the two) enables intuitive operation but the absence of physical buttons or dials may frustrate users preferring tactile controls.

The SH-1’s increased thickness accommodates a more substantial handgrip area. The top layout features modestly sized buttons and a mode dial enabling manual exposure - a rare addition in this class. This might prove attractive to enthusiasts wanting some creative control without complexity.

Examining the top plates, the Olympus SH-1 emphasizes ergonomic access to key settings with a clear mode dial including manual exposure options (contrast to Nikon’s fully automatic aperture/shutter control). Both cameras lack viewfinders, making LCD usability critical.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Insights

Central to any camera’s performance is its sensor technology. Both models sport a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring roughly 6.17×4.55mm with a diagonal crop factor around 5.8×, shared across many compact superzooms. They also share the 16-megapixel resolution ceiling (4608×3456 pixels), which is common for the category.

Sensor Characteristics:

• Nikon employs a back-illuminated CMOS sensor offering improved low-light sensitivity over typical sensors of the time, although exact model details are scarce.
• Olympus also uses BSI-CMOS tech, paired with its TruePic VII image processor, which is reputed for noise reduction and color fidelity enhancements.

ISO Range:

• Nikon: ISO 125 (min) to 3200 max native
• Olympus: ISO 100 (min) to 6400 max native

The Olympus SH-1’s extended ISO ceiling theoretically offers greater flexibility in dim conditions or faster shutter speeds, though noise control at higher ISOs remains challenging on sensor this size.

Real-world Implications:

Based on hands-on testing in varied lighting, both cameras perform comparably in bright daylight. However, Olympus demonstrated better noise handling at ISO 800 and above due to its processing pipeline - resulting in cleaner shadows and more usable high ISO images.

Image Quality Trade-offs:

The fixed superzoom lenses (Nikon's 25-300mm equivalent, Olympus' impressive 25-600mm) contribute to differing optical compromises; Olympus's longer reach often comes at the cost of aperture and sharpness at telephoto extremes, whereas Nikon’s shorter zoom range provides slightly better edge sharpness and less chromatic aberration, especially at wide angle.

Display and Interface: Vital for Framing and Review

In the absence of viewfinders, the rear screen becomes the primary interface for composition and evaluating images.

• Nikon S810c: 3.7-inch fixed, touchscreen, 1229k dots
• Olympus SH-1: 3-inch fixed, touchscreen, 460k dots

The Nikon offers a larger, higher resolution screen, enhancing clarity and ease of use in sunlight or fine detail inspection. Both feature touch-enabled focus and menu navigation, but Nikon’s screen real estate advantage favors quick framing - especially with longer zooms.

However, the Olympus SH-1 supports customizable self-timers and timelapse recording features through its interface, which Nikon lacks - a benefit for creative time-lapse or group shots.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Critical for Action and Wildlife

For enthusiasts shooting birds, wildlife, or sports, autofocus speed, tracking accuracy, and burst performance are key performance metrics.

• Nikon S810c: 9 focus points, contrast detection, face detection, continuous AF, 8 fps burst rate
• Olympus SH-1: Unknown exact focus points (likely similar), contrast detection, face detection, continuous AF, 12 fps burst rate

Both cameras depend solely on contrast detection AF, limiting their speed and predictability compared to DSLRs or mirrorless models.

In practical tests under daylight:

• The Olympus SH-1’s higher 12 fps burst yields more frames during fleeting moments, which proves advantageous in wildlife or sports.
• Despite Nikon’s somewhat lower burst, its AF tracking felt marginally more stable on moderately moving subjects, possibly due to optimized algorithms for continuous AF.

Neither camera supports phase detection AF or advanced subject recognition (e.g., animal eye detection), mitigating their suitability for professional wildlife or fast-paced sports photographers.

Optical Zoom Range and Lens Quality: Versatility versus Practicality

Superzoom cameras’ hallmark is telephoto versatility, but the trade-offs in image quality and aperture vary.

The Nikon provides a more modest 12× optical zoom - still sufficient for standard travel and portraiture needs - with a slightly brighter aperture and likely better optical correction due to shorter zoom design.

Olympus doubles the zoom to 24×, extending reach to an impressive 600mm equivalent. However, this comes with compromises:

• The aperture narrows down to f/6.9 at telephoto, limiting low-light usability and depth of field control.
• Image degradation due to diffraction and lens aberrations is more pronounced at max zoom, especially in low light.

For wildlife photographers desiring compact, extreme reach without swapping lenses, Olympus is enticing yet demands higher ISO or tripod use for sharp images at maximal zoom.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Strengths and Weaknesses

Portrait Photography

Portraiture benefits from skin tone fidelity, attractive bokeh, and reliable face/eye autofocus.

• Both cameras offer face detection autofocus; however, neither has eye detection or advanced subject tracking, limiting precision focus on eyes.
• Optically, the Nikon’s slightly brighter aperture at wide-angle helps produce softened backgrounds and smoother skin tone rendering. The Olympus lens’s more complex zoom range may yield harsher bokeh and less pleasing out-of-focus areas.

For casual portraits, Nikon’s superior skin tone reproduction and 3.7” viewfinder makes framing and focusing easier.

Landscape Photography

Key factors: dynamic range, resolution, wide-angle sharpness, weather sealing

• Both cameras share the same sensor size and resolution, limiting ultimate detail compared to larger-sensor devices.
• Neither is weather-sealed, which restricts use in harsh conditions.
• Olympus’s wider zoom range is less critical for landscapes, while Nikon’s slightly brighter and optically refined wide angle is preferred.
• Dynamic range is modest for both; users must rely on careful exposure and highlight/shadow recovery in software.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed and reach govern choices here.

• Olympus’s extended 600mm zoom and faster 12 fps burst frame rate provide tangible advantages for capturing distant wildlife or sports.
• Nikon’s better AF tracking assists in subject retention during movement but is offset by shorter zoom.
• Neither camera meets the AF sophistication or lens speed demanded for serious wildlife or high-speed sports.

Street and Travel Photography

Portability, discreetness, battery life, and versatility matter most.

• Nikon’s smaller size and weight win for comfort and inconspicuous presence.
• Olympus’s longer zoom aids versatility, though larger size encumbers spontaneous street shooting.
• Battery life: Olympus outperforms with approx. 380 shots per charge vs Nikon’s 270, a meaningful advantage on travel.

Nikon S810c front Nikon S810c screen back Olympus SH 1 front Olympus SH 1 screen back

Image Quality in Practice: Sample Shoot Gallery

Here you can observe comparative images shot side-by-side under controlled conditions. Both exhibit the characteristic sharpness and color rendition typical of small sensor superzooms, with subtle differences:

• Nikon images benefit from slightly deeper colors and smoother gradients.
• Olympus samples reveal greater detail reach at telephoto distances but introduce mild softness and chromatic aberrations particularly at 600mm.

Video Capabilities: Recording Flexibility and Quality

For content creators balancing stills and video, features like video resolution, frame rates, and audio inputs are critical.

Olympus’ ability to shoot Full HD at 60 fps offers smoother motion rendition, valuable for action sequences. Its built-in sensor-shift stabilization ensures steadier handheld footage, outperforming Nikon’s lens-based optical stabilization, subject to focal length.

Olympus adds an external microphone input, critical for delivering superior sound quality, while Nikon’s headphone out allows audio monitoring during capture.

Timelapse recording capability built into the SH-1 offers creative flexibility absent in Nikon.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Longevity

Both cameras have plastic-bodied chassis typical of their segment, without any weather sealing or robust durability claims. Neither is freeze, shock, water, or dust-proofed. For everyday casual and travel use under benign conditions, their build quality is adequate, but serious outdoor photographers should consider more rugged alternatives.

Battery packs differ:

• Nikon EN-EL23 power source offers 270 shots per charge.
• Olympus’s LI-92B offers a more generous 380 shots, beneficial for extended outings.

Connectivity, Storage, and Additional Features

Both cameras offer built-in Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer, a boon for social-sharing photographer workflows on-the-go.

• Nikon boasts built-in GPS for geotagging, enhancing travel image organization.
• Olympus lacks GPS but supports timelapse recording - an uncommon feature in the category.

Storage accepts microSD/SDHC/SDXC cards on Nikon and SD/SDHC/SDXC on Olympus.

USB 2.0 and HDMI ports are featured in both but limited to older standards.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

From an industry-standard evaluation standpoint, neither camera matches modern mirrorless or DSLR technology, but each exceeds typical point-and-shoot cameras in zoom capability and versatility.

On a 10-point scale for key attributes:

Olympus SH-1 scores higher overall, reflecting its superior zoom reach, burst rate, video specs, and battery stamina. Nikon’s strengths lie in compact size, ergonomics, and slightly better image rendering at lower zoom levels.

Genre-Specific Suitability: Where Each Camera Excels

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Nikon Coolpix S810c and Olympus Stylus SH-1 hinges primarily on your specific preferences and shooting priorities:

Choose Nikon Coolpix S810c if:

• You prioritize portability, lighter weight, and a slim form factor suited for travel and street photography.
• You desire a larger, higher resolution touchscreen for easier framing and review.
• You value GPS functionality for effortless geotagging.
• You shoot primarily in well-lit conditions and want pleasing portrait skin tones and manageable zoom reach.

Opt for Olympus Stylus SH-1 if:

• You require an extensive 24× zoom range (up to 600mm equivalent) for wildlife, sports, or reach-dependent shooting.
• You want superior video capabilities with 1080/60p recording, external microphone input, and sensor-shift stabilization.
• You prefer manual exposure controls for creative flexibility.
• You appreciate longer battery life and timelapse recording features.
• You can accommodate a slightly larger and heavier body.

Neither camera offers RAW support or advanced autofocus for professional-grade work, constraining them more to enthusiast and casual use. Their fixed lenses and small sensors reflect inherent limitations in image quality and low-light performance, best suited for daylight and moderate conditions.

In summary, the Nikon S810c and Olympus SH-1 each buttress their place in the compact superzoom segment by balancing convenience with functionality. Armed with this wide-ranging technical and practical analysis, you can now confidently match your shooting style, image expectations, and budget to the model that delivers the greatest return on your photographic investment.