Nikon S9100 vs Samsung SL820

Nikon Coolpix S9100 vs. Samsung SL820: A Hands-On Comparison of Compact Superzoom vs. Classic Compact

Choosing the right compact camera sometimes feels like navigating a maze of technical specs and marketing buzz. Two notable entrants from the early 2010s that often find themselves on the shortlist for everyday photography are the Nikon Coolpix S9100 and the Samsung SL820. Both target enthusiasts seeking versatility and portability, yet they approach this goal differently. After extensive hands-on testing - spanning portrait sessions, landscape shoots, street scoops, and video recordings - I’m here to cut through the jargon and give you a clear, practical comparison grounded in real-world use.

Whether you’re hunting for the best superzoom in a pocketable package or a classic compact that delivers simplicity with decent image quality, this evaluation dives deep into what each camera excels at - and where they fall short.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: How They Feel in Your Hands

Camera usability often starts here. After all, a compact that feels awkward to hold or operate quickly loses appeal in street photography or travel scenarios.

The Nikon S9100 measures roughly 105x62x35 mm and weighs about 214 grams, while the Samsung SL820 is smaller and lighter at 95x59x23 mm and 168 grams. The S9100’s more substantial heft translates into a sturdier grip and a more substantial feel, making it easier to maintain steady framing - particularly at long zoom ranges. Conversely, the SL820’s slim profile and lighter weight make it remarkably pocketable and discreet for street and casual shooting.

Ergonomically, the S9100’s body features textured areas that boost grip security, and its button layout - judged from the top and rear panel - is thoughtfully spaced, conducive to quick operation even when working fast. The Samsung SL820 opts for a simpler button scheme with smaller controls, which can feel cramped, especially for users with larger hands.

Both cameras lack an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on LCDs, which means handling steadiness and screen visibility become even more crucial.

Navigating the Control Layout: Quick Access or Simplified Minimalism?

Examining the top panels reveals the S9100’s commitment to providing users with dedicated function buttons. A zoom lever encircles the shutter release, accompanied by a power button and exposure controls neatly arranged for intuitive reach. Meanwhile, the SL820 features a minimalist top - just the shutter and zoom rocker - consistent with its streamlined design ethos.

This difference speaks volumes about the intended user experience: Nikon aiming for rapid adjustments mid-shoot, Samsung leaning into straightforward point-and-shoot convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Key Technical Foundations

Both cameras are built around a 1/2.3-inch sensor sporting around 12 megapixels - standard fare for compact cameras of their era. However, the Nikon S9100 employs a more advanced Backside-Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, whereas the Samsung SL820 uses a CCD sensor.

This distinction has a significant impact on image quality. BSI CMOS sensors generally offer improved light-gathering efficiency, better high ISO performance, and lower noise levels compared to CCDs. The S9100’s native ISO range spans 160 to 3200, offering more flexibility in dim conditions, while the SL820 caps at ISO 1600 and starts at ISO 80.

In real-world landscape and low-light tests, I found the S9100’s images consistently cleaner and retaining more dynamic range (particularly in shadows), giving it an edge for demanding situations. The SL820 produces decent color rendition and detail under good lighting but visibly suffers from increased noise at higher sensitivities.

Display and Interface: Your Window to the World

Both models rely on 3-inch fixed TFT LCDs, but there the similarity ends. Nikon’s S9100 sports a higher resolution screen at 921k dots versus Samsung’s 230k dots - an easily discernible difference during framing and review sessions.

The S9100’s screen presents sharper previews and more accurate color feedback, which I appreciated especially in bright outdoor conditions. Samsung’s lower-res screen could feel limiting when checking critical focus or exposure.

None of the two cameras offer touchscreen or articulating displays, common omissions for their generation but worth noting for photographers used to more modern interfaces.

Zoom Range and Lens Capabilities: Versatility Vs. Reliability

Where the Nikon S9100 truly flexes its muscles is in lens reach: an impressive 18x optical zoom ranging from 25mm wide-angle to 450mm telephoto equivalent. Coupled with sensor-shift image stabilization, it encourages confidence when capturing wildlife or distant subjects.

The Samsung SL820, in contrast, features a 5x optical zoom (28–140mm equivalent), delivering a more modest telephoto headroom but a slightly faster aperture at the wide end (f/3.4 vs. f/3.5).

What stood out during field testing was the Nikon’s lens versatility enabling shots impossible for the Samsung without sacrificing too much image quality. However, the longer zoom extends exposure to notable softness and chromatic aberration in deep telephoto, a common superzoom tradeoff.

Samsung’s lens, while limited in reach, produced slightly sharper images across its shorter zoom range, offering crispness better suited to casual portraiture and landscapes at moderate distances.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking and Responsiveness Under Pressure

The S9100 offers a 9-point contrast detection AF system with face detection and continuous autofocus during live view. Its burst mode delivers a respectable 10 fps shooting speed, an advantage for capturing fleeting moments in wildlife or sports photography.

Samsung’s SL820 is equipped with basic contrast-detect AF focusing only in single-shot mode, without tracking or continuous AF support. The lack of burst shooting capability significantly limits its potential for fast action sequences.

In practical terms, the Nikon’s autofocus was noticeably faster and more reliable, locking sharply on faces or moving subjects with ease. The Samsung often struggled to find focus quickly, resulting in missed shots during dynamic shooting scenarios.

Image Stabilization: Handheld Stability Matters

The Nikon Coolpix S9100 incorporates sensor-shift image stabilization, a major boon during telephoto zoom shots and low-light handheld shooting. I tested this extensively during travel and wildlife sessions - the difference in sharpness at longer focal lengths was tangible.

On the other hand, the Samsung SL820 has no image stabilization. This means longer shutter speeds, or especially zoomed-in photos, are prone to camera shake blur, limiting its effective usability without a tripod.

Flash and Low Light Performance: Illuminating or Limiting?

Both cameras have built-in flashes with roughly 4 to 4.5 meters effective range. The Samsung’s flash system offers more modes (including slow sync and red-eye fix), enhancing creative control for ambient-exposed portraits.

Yet, due to the S9100’s better sensor and stabilization, its overall low-light capability is superior - even with flash off - delivering cleaner images at ISO 3200 without excessive grain. Samsung’s ceiling at ISO 1600 coupled with no stabilization makes night shooting more challenging.

Video Functionality: Beyond Still Images

For casual videography, the Nikon shoots full HD 1080p at 30 fps storing video in efficient MPEG-4/H.264 format. The Samsung maxes out at 720p HD (30 fps) using Motion JPEG, which results in larger files and lower compression efficiency.

Neither camera supports external microphones or advanced video controls, but the Nikon’s better stabilization and higher resolution give it a clear edge for handheld video capture quality.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Shooting Endurance

The Nikon S9100 uses an EN-EL12 battery rated around 270 shots per charge, typical for compact superzooms with power-hungry zoom and stabilization. The SL820’s battery life isn’t officially published but generally offers shorter endurance given its smaller size.

Both utilize SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with Samsung additionally accepting MMC/MMCplus formats - though SD remains the standard today.

Real-World Photography: Field Tests Across Genres

To truly understand each camera’s character, I put them through focused testing across photography types: portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, travel, and professional use.

Nikon S9100 front Nikon S9100 screen back Samsung SL820 front Samsung SL820 screen back

Portrait Photography:
The face detection AF on both cameras helped lock focus on eyes, but the Nikon’s faster, continuous AF and image stabilization provided bokeh-rich portraiture with natural skin tones and background blur at telephoto. Samsung’s shorter focal length and no stabilization limited shallow depth effects. The S9100’s higher resolution LCD and preview accuracy also made framing tighter shots easier.

Landscape Photography:
Dynamic range limitations were evident in Samsung’s CCD sensor, showing crushed highlights under direct sunlight. Nikon’s BSI CMOS sensor managed broader tonal gradations, revealing shadow detail impressive for its sensor size. Both cameras suffer diffraction softness wide open but Nikon’s reach allowed for compression effects and distant detail capture.

Wildlife Photography:
The Nikon’s 450mm equivalent zoom combined with 10fps burst and continuous AF makes it a modest wildlife contender in the compact category. The Samsung’s 140mm limit and lack of continuous AF translate to missed shots and frustration capturing moving animals.

Sports Photography:
Neither camera is ideal for high-speed sports, but Nikon’s faster burst rate and tracking AF offer limited competency, whereas Samsung’s single AF and no burst render it ineffective.

Street Photography:
Samsung’s more discreet size and weight make it less conspicuous, a boon in candid environments. Nikon’s bulk and louder lens movement may draw unwanted attention. However, Nikon’s stabilized zoom allows for flexible framing from a distance without approaching subjects.

Macro Photography:
Close focus ranges are comparable (4cm Nikon, 5cm Samsung). Nikon’s image stabilization aids handheld macro shots, lending sharpness to fine textures. Samsung relies heavily on static setups.

Night and Astro Photography:
Nikon’s higher ISO ceiling and better noise control allow longer exposures with handheld shots possible, although neither camera excels in astrophotography given sensor limitations.

Video Capabilities:
Nikon’s 1080p captures are visibly sharper with steadier footage. Samsung’s 720p is serviceable for casual use but lacks the polish professionals target.

Travel Photography:
Both offer pocketability, though Samsung wins here by size and weight margins. Nikon provides far more creative control and zoom flexibility - critical for varied travel scenes.

Professional Work:
Neither offers RAW support, limiting post-processing latitude. Nikon’s superior stabilization, burst speed, and zoom range give it an edge for emergency or backup uses but fall short against modern mirrorless or DSLRs.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durability Verdict

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing. Nikon's more robust plastic construction feels more resilient under prolonged use. Samsung’s lighter shell shows more flex and less ruggedness.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither model supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS - common omissions given their release era. Nikon’s inclusion of an HDMI port enables better external viewing, a feature absent on Samsung.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability: Fixed but Functional

Both cameras feature fixed lenses typical of compacts; no interchangeable lenses apply. Nikon’s longer zoom range offers more compositional flexibility, partially compensating for the lack of add-ons.

Price vs. Performance: Which Offers Greater Value?

With Nikon S9100 typically priced around $329 (at launch) and Samsung SL820 closer to $280, the price gap is moderate.

When weighing price against features, Nikon offers more advanced imaging technology, faster performance, and greater versatility, justifying its premium. Samsung’s budget-friendly, simple design appeals for users strictly wanting a pocketable casual camera without superzoom ambitions.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Comprehensive Performance Overview

Our testing scores place Nikon noticeably ahead in image quality, autofocus, and shooting versatility, while Samsung holds modest marks for portability and ease of use.

Genre-Specific Recommendations

If your primary interests are wildlife, sports, landscape, or video - where zoom, stabilization, and responsiveness matter - Nikon’s S9100 delivers significantly better results.

For street photography, casual travel, and everyday snapshots prioritizing discretion and simplicity, Samsung’s SL820 remains a valid lightweight choice with decent image quality for well-lit conditions.

Final Thoughts: How to Choose Between Nikon S9100 and Samsung SL820?

From my experience testing both extensively, the Nikon Coolpix S9100 stands out as the more versatile and technically capable camera, better suited for enthusiasts who want a compact but flexible camera system. Its enhanced sensor, superior zoom, and image stabilization are game-changers when you need reach and image steadiness on the go.

The Samsung SL820 meanwhile is best seen as an entry-level compact for users prioritizing ultra-portability and straightforward operation without zoom extremes or speedy performance requirements.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your shooting priorities: zoom and image quality with Nikon, or simplicity and pocket-friendliness with Samsung.

Professional Testing Notes

This comparison is based on side-by-side real-world shooting over multiple sessions, including natural light, studio conditions, and varied environments. Objective measures such as ISO noise tests, resolution charts, and AF tracking speed were conducted alongside subjective evaluations of usability and image aesthetics.

In summary: If budget permits and you want a superzoom compact capable of tackling a variety of photographic challenges, the Nikon Coolpix S9100 remains a solid pick despite its age. For compactness and casual shooting, the Samsung SL820 keeps things simple - and that can be exactly what some users need.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you zero in on the camera that best suits your photographic style and ambitions. Feel free to reach out for deeper advice on lenses, accessories, or workflow integration for either model. Happy shooting!