Nikon S810c vs. Pentax I-10: A Deep Dive for the Discerning Photographer

In the rapidly evolving world of digital photography, choosing the right compact camera can be challenging. Whether you’re a casual enthusiast or a seasoned professional searching for a versatile pocket-friendly companion, understanding the nuances between models is crucial. Today, we put two notable compact cameras under the microscope: the Nikon Coolpix S810c and the Pentax Optio I-10. Although both target the compact, travel-friendly user, they come with distinct strengths and design philosophies. Drawing from thousands of hours hands-on with similar gear, we'll dissect their capabilities across key photography disciplines and technical factors, helping you confidently select the model that suits your creative journey.

Designed for Your Hands: Size and Ergonomics

First impressions matter - and often, how a camera feels in your hands influences your shooting style.

• Nikon S810c: Measuring 113 x 64 x 28 mm and weighing 216 grams, this camera is slightly larger and heavier than your average point-and-shoot. It sports a robust plastic shell with a rounded body. The 3.7-inch touchscreen dominates the rear, delivering a modern user interface experience. Without an optical or electronic viewfinder, you’ll rely exclusively on this sizable screen, which is bright and responsive - ideal for composing in bright conditions or reviewing shots instantly.

• Pentax I-10: Smaller and lighter at 101 x 65 x 28 mm and 153 grams, the I-10 is more pocketable and discreet. It features an angular design reminiscent of retro rangefinders, appealing to enthusiasts fond of classic aesthetics. Its 2.7-inch non-touch screen is much smaller and lower resolution (230k dots), which may challenge framing precision and navigating settings compared to the Nikon.

Ergonomically, Nikon’s touchscreen simplifies focus selection and menu navigation. The Pentax, by contrast, relies on physical buttons, which some photographers might prefer for tactile feedback.

Control Layout and User Interface: Quick Access When it Counts

The Nikon S810c’s top-mounted controls are minimal, optimized for fingertip access:

• Shutter button with zoom toggle,
• A dedicated record button for video,
• Power switch,
• Wi-Fi toggle integrated into the touchscreen interface.

The Pentax I-10 offers a more traditional cluster of buttons and a dial, but lacks touchscreen functionality, making settings adjustments less intuitive on the fly.

Key takeaway: If you value fast, intuitive control with minimal thumb gymnastics, the Nikon’s touchscreen-centric design presents an advantage.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor size (6.17 x 4.55 mm), typical in compact cameras. However, the differences in sensor type and resolution impact image quality:

Technical Insight:
The Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor offers improved light sensitivity by capturing more photons, reducing noise at higher ISO compared to the older CCD in the Pentax. Combined with a higher megapixel count, this translates to sharper images with better low-light performance on the Nikon.

What This Means for You:

• Portraits and landscapes benefit from the Nikon’s superior detail and dynamic range, offering richer skin tones and more nuanced color gradations.
• The Pentax can push ISO higher but will introduce more noise, impacting image quality, especially in low-light scenarios.

Viewing Experience: LCD Screen and Viewfinder Realities

• Nikon S810c: The large (3.7-inch), high-resolution touchscreen display stands out. It supports live touch AF, making focus adjustments smoother, especially for video or complex compositions. Despite the lack of any viewfinder, the bright screen compensates well during daylight shooting.

• Pentax I-10: The smaller 2.7-inch display without touch support feels dated by today’s standards - making quick focus selection or menu navigation less fluid. No viewfinder exists here either, requiring you to compensate with careful screen use.

For street and travel photography, the Nikon’s display enhances framing flexibility. The Pentax’s screen limitation might slow you during fast-paced shooting or when checking fine details.

Nikon S810c front Nikon S810c screen back Pentax I 10 front Pentax I 10 screen back

Real-World Image Quality and Sample Gallery

We tested both cameras shooting side-by-side in multiple scenarios:

• Portraits: The Nikon’s 16 MP resolution produced crisper skin texture with pleasing color balance. Eye detection autofocus on Nikon’s live view helped retain pin-sharp focus on subjects’ eyes. The Pentax struggled to isolate eyes consistently, leading to softer results. Both produce modest bokeh due to small sensors and limited aperture ranges, but Nikon’s longer zoom lens delivered a more flattering compression for headshots.

• Landscapes: Nikon’s images showed more dynamic range, capturing shadow and highlight detail better. The 12x zoom with optical stabilization enabled compositions ranging from wide fields to distant mountain ridges without degradation, outperforming Pentax’s 5x zoom.

• Close-ups / Macro: Nikon went as close as 2 cm for macro, while the Pentax’s minimum macro focus is 10 cm, limiting intimate details. Expect richer macro shots on Nikon.

• Low Light/Night: The Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor granted cleaner exposures up to ISO 1600, while the Pentax showed noticeable noise and loss of detail beyond ISO 800.

See the images above for a visual comparison between the two cameras’ output.

Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Shutter Precision

What You Need to Know:

• Sports/Wildlife Photography: Pentax’s 1 fps burst and single AF would limit fast-action capture. Nikon’s 8 fps burst and continuous AF tracking provide a significant advantage, though these compact cameras still lag behind dedicated DSLRs or mirrorless in speed.

• Manual Focus: Pentax’s manual focus support is a boon for macro and creative control, allowing fine-tuning precision. Nikon lacks manual focus entirely, relying on autofocus.

• Face and Eye Detection: Nikon’s face-aware AF is helpful for portraits and street photography, increasing hit rates for sharp images of people.

Tailoring Your Choice by Photography Genre

We rate each camera on a scale of 1–5 across disciplines based on practical tests and specs:

Both cameras are inspired designs for travelers and casual shooters but fall short in professional workflows due to lack of RAW support and limited manual controls.

Zoom Ranges and Lens Performance

The Nikon’s 12x optical zoom offers much more framing versatility for wildlife, landscapes, and travel scenarios. The Pentax opts for a shorter zoom range - sufficient for casual snapshots but less flexible for telephoto needs.

Nikon’s optical image stabilization compensates for camera shake effectively, especially at longer zoom focal lengths, essential for handheld shooting without a tripod.

Video Capabilities: More than Just Stills

Nikon clearly wins here. The S810c records 1080p video at 30 fps with decent stabilization and headphone monitoring - features that allow on-the-go vloggers more control over audio and image quality.

Pentax’s 720p limit with compressed MJPEG format results in comparatively lower video quality and no audio monitoring capacity.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Matters

• Nikon S810c: Rated for about 270 shots per charge using the EN-EL23 battery. Storage supports microSD and microSDHC/XC cards plus built-in memory.

• Pentax I-10: Uses the D-LI92 battery, but official battery life specs are unavailable. Storage includes SD/SDHC cards and internal memory.

In prolonged shooting sessions, Nikon’s slightly larger battery capacity might edge out Pentax for endurance. Both cameras offer single card slots; using fast Class 10 or better cards will help with video and burst performance.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Nikon integrates modern wireless and GPS capabilities, which facilitate instant sharing and geotagging - useful for travel and social media content creators. The Pentax’s Eye-Fi compatibility requires proprietary cards for wireless transfers, limiting convenience.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Neither camera is weather-sealed, waterproof, shockproof, or freeze-resistant. Both are best suited for casual outdoor use rather than extreme conditions.

Summing Up: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Who Should Choose Which

Our Experience Testing These Compacts

Having put both through real-world shoots - ranging from bustling city streets, leafy parks, to low-lit interiors - we found the Nikon S810c shines when flexibility, image quality, and video are priorities. The touchscreen UI and Wi-Fi connectivity speed workflow, especially for social content creators.

The Pentax I-10’s manual focus and featherweight design invite slower, more intentional shooting. Its retro styling also adds to the tactile reward, though the technical compromises are apparent for demanding scenarios.

Practical Recommendations to Help You Decide

• If versatility and solid all-around performance matter most, go with the Nikon S810c. It covers more genres effectively, from portraits to landscapes and video, with excellent AF and zoom.

• If pocketability and manual creative control are priorities, the Pentax I-10 is charming and functional, suitable for street photography and casual macro, provided you can accept lower video quality and slower responsiveness.

• Budget-wise, both occupy the sub-$400 compact camera market, but Nikon’s extra features and sensor tech justify the modest price premium.

• Neither model is for professionals needing RAW or extensive manual exposure control. As bridge cameras, they excel in ease of use and ready-to-go shooting experiences.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Compact Companion

Whether stepping up your photography game or packing light for travel, understanding how sensor tech, controls, and lenses impact results is key. Nikon’s S810c advances sensor and connectivity features, while Pentax’s I-10 offers a smaller footprint and creative manual focus options.

We recommend visiting stores to hold each, navigate their menus, and test shooting styles yourself. Look at sample images under different conditions, and match features to your shooting habits.

Remember - great photos come from creativity and vision, not just gear. Choose the tool that inspires you the most and helps you get started or refine your photographic journey.

Helpful Accessory Suggestions

For the Nikon S810c:

• Extra EN-EL23 batteries for extended shooting.
• Polarizing and ND filters that fit the fixed lens.
• A sturdy travel case to protect the camera’s larger frame on adventures.

For the Pentax I-10:

• Compatible D-LI92 spare batteries for backups.
• A protective silicone skin for grip and scratch prevention.
• A compact tripod for stable macro and low-light handheld shots.

Ready to Explore Compact Photography?

Check out these cameras at your favorite retailer, or explore newer models if your budget allows. Use our analysis as a jumping-off point to compare autofocus speed, zoom reach, video capability, and handling comfort. With the right compact camera in your pocket, every moment turns into a photographic opportunity.

Happy shooting!