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Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Renewed by Nikon S9300
Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon S9300
  • New Model is Nikon S9700
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Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are manufactured by Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the S9100 (12MP) and S9500 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was brought out 18 months before the S9500 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the S9100 grades against the S9500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Nikon S9500

 S9100 S9500 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen resolution921k614kClearer screen (+307k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Nikon S9100

 S9500 S9100 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2011Newer by 18 months

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Nikon S9500

 S9100 S9500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9100 comes with physical measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Nikon S9500 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the S9100 against the S9500.

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S9100 and S9500 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The image below may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S9100 and S9500.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S9500 to offer you greater detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged S9100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Portrait photography camera
32
focusing manually
features face detection focusing
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
31
MP count good (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Street photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (214g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (205g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography factors
Nikon S9500 Sports photography factors
36
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (270 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
42
long zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than average (214 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (270 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than average (205 grams)
MP count good (18MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (550mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9100
Landscape photography with Nikon S9500
39
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery pack (270 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
46
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S9500 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
36
quite wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (205g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
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Nikon S9100 vs Nikon S9500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Nikon S9500
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Nikon Coolpix S9500
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Nikon Coolpix S9500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-19 2013-01-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 160 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-550mm (22.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 4cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 7.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lb) 205 gr (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 270 images 230 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $329 $230