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Nikon S4100

 
Nikon Coolpix S4100 front
 
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 20mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Nikon S4100 summary

Nikon S4100 is Nikon's Ultracompact digital camera originally released on February of 2011. The camera uses a 14MP, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a max resolution of 4320 x 3240.

The S4100 comes in at #39 out of 151 in Ultracompact cameras & over-all #915 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. You should look at our Advanced camera search to see camera results based on your custom criteria.

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Below is a chart of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Nikon S4100 history

The Nikon S4100 has a history of related digital cameras. Below, you can identify all earlier and new models along with main features.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Nikon-Coolpix-S6900 front thumbnailNikon S6900
S4100 vs S6900
25-300mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S7000 front thumbnailNikon S7000
S4100 vs S7000
25-500mm
F3.4-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2015
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Nikon-Coolpix-S2900 front thumbnailNikon S2900
S4100 vs S2900
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
20MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S3700 front thumbnailNikon S3700
S4100 vs S3700
25-200mm
F3.7-6.6
20MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S6400 front thumbnailNikon S6400
S4100 vs S6400
25-300mm
F3.1-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S1200pj front thumbnailNikon S1200pj
S4100 vs S1200pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
14MP1/2.3"2011
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Nikon-Coolpix-S4100 front thumbnailNikon S410026-130mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S3100 front thumbnailNikon S3100
S4100 vs S3100
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S80 front thumbnailNikon S80
S4100 vs S80
35-175mm
F3.6-4.8
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S1100pj front thumbnailNikon S1100pj
S4100 vs S1100pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S4000 front thumbnailNikon S4000
S4100 vs S4000
27-108mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
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Nikon-Coolpix-S3000 front thumbnailNikon S3000
S4100 vs S3000
27-108mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S70 front thumbnailNikon S70
S4100 vs S70
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S220 front thumbnailNikon S220
S4100 vs S220
35-105mm
F3.1-5.9
10MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S230 front thumbnailNikon S230
S4100 vs S230
35-105mm
F3.1-5.9
10MP1/2.3"2009

Nikon S4100 Pros and Cons

Here is a list of good and bad points of the Nikon S4100 based on factors which are generally considered useful in a digital camera.

features face detect autofocus
features tracking focus
good zoom range (26-130mm 5.0 x zoom)
has built in flash
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
pretty wide (26mm)
provides touch focus
touchscreen functionality
very good minimum ISO (80)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
cannot use external flash
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of manual focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
lack of RAW format
low resolution screen (230 thousand dot)
missing HDMI port
missing headphone port
missing mic port
missing Time Lapse function
no aperture priority
no manual exposure
no shutter priority
screen does not articulate
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sluggish at long end (f6.5)
terrible battery pack (190 per charge)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
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Nikon S4100 Sensor features

The Nikon S4100 features the Expeed C2 processor chip. The sensor spec on the Nikon S4100 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor can capture 4320 x 3240 pixels . The camera has Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). Optical stabilization is preferable than digital stabilization since the latter might lead to cropping.

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The CCD sensor has 14 megapixels and supports a standard ISO range of 80 to 3200. Unfortunately, RAW files are not saved therefore the user has less margin for error.

The picture underneath displays the S4100's sensor size compared to other popular sizes. The S4100 sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is shown in green.

Nikon Coolpix S4100 sensor size President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

To get a sense of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Nikon S4100 dimensions

Nikon S4100 weighs 0.00 lb ( grams / 0.00 ounces) & has outside proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8"). The weight of typical Ultracompact camera is 121 grams and the Nikon S4100 is less heavy as compared with its rivals.

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Underneath is a shot of the Nikon S4100 with a softdrink to help you to get a sense of its size.

Nikon Coolpix S4100 dimensions scale

The top view just below will highlight the button layout on the S4100.

Nikon Coolpix S4100 topview buttons dials

Nikon S4100 Lens features

The S4100 houses an inbuilt lens having a focal range of 26-130mm giving it a 5.0 x zoom which isn't really outstanding nevertheless it will probably be helpful in some situations.

At it's widest 26mm, it has an aperture of f3.2 which will be very sluggish and not great for low light conditions and you might struggle to get a shallow depth of field. You would also need to boost your ISO which causes noisy shots. With the long end, 130mm comes at f6.5 which is fairly slow and you would have to choose slower shutter speeds.

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Nikon S4100 Connectivity

The S4100 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that have NFC or Bluetooth compatibility are able to be controlled wirelessly via smartphones. You can send images and at times change settings without connecting directly with the camera.

Many apps also enable a Liveview and hit the shutter if you are not near the camera. If the camera comes with a HDMI port, it can easily be attached to an external display. Many cameras enable you to recharge the battery pack through the USB port.

Photography Glossary

Nikon S4100 Video features

The max video quality on the Nikon S4100 is 1280 x 720 and you can record in Motion JPEG file format. 720p is low for today's standards. You really should strive for at least 1080p quality for video recording. The body does not have a microphone or headphone socket which means that you have absolutely no control over the audio. It is perhaps best to take a look at another model if you require good audio for your videos.

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Nikon S4100 Weather Sealing

There is no environment sealing on the Nikon S4100 so you have to be careful in wet and dusty conditions.

Nikon S4100 Screen and Viewfinder

The Nikon S4100 houses a 3 inch fixed screen having a resolution of 230 thousand dots.

Additionally the screen is touch friendly which means you are able to change focus points as well as change settings using your finger.

Nikon Coolpix S4100 screen and viewfinder Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The ViewFinder details for Nikon S4100 are as follows:

  • ViewFinder None

For sunny outdoor conditions that make the camera displays washed out and tricky to see, viewfinders are particularly useful.

Nikon S4100 Shutter features

Nikon S4100 continuous shooting rate is 1.0 frames/s. The maximum shutter speed is 1/2000 sec.

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Nikon S4100 Flash and Hot shoe features

Nikon S4100 has just built-in flash with missing external flash support.

Nikon S4100 Autofocus features

Nikon S4100 has only Contrast Detect AF & is missing Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection focusing is a lot faster & precise as compared with Contrast Detect focusing. The camera boasts Face detection which is helpful for people photography.

The AF system boasts 9 focus points to choose from. Nikon S4100 has tap to focus. You are able to use your fingers to change focus. It also boasts Tracking AF for moving subjects. Nikon S4100 has not got manual focus. Manual focus can be good in low light scenarios or you need to have more exact focus control.

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Nikon S4100 Battery life

The battery pack (EN-EL19) on the Nikon S4100 is made to last for 190 photographs according to the CIPA specifications which is lesser when compared with it's competitors. The usual Ultracompact camera battery life is 214. Nikon L32 comes with the maximum (320) battery life in this range of cameras.

Below is a list of Ultracompact cameras which have the strongest battery life:

Nikon S4100 for specific styles of photography

The following bar chart displays a rundown of the Nikon S4100 for specific styles of photography. To view more, have a look at the specific section underneath.

Nikon S4100 as a Portrait photography camera

The Nikon S4100 has a points tally of 33 which is bad, and means the camera is simply not suitable for portrait images. Photographing portrait images favors greatly towards sensor size, RAW support in addition to the option to use external flash.

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MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files

Street photography with Nikon S4100

Coming in at a nice points tally of 64, the Nikon S4100 is a fine pick to buy for street photography. A good street photography camera provides a good balance of picture quality and portability.

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image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers touch to focus
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files

Nikon S4100 Sports photography information

A bad sports photography score of 37 indicates the Nikon S4100 is simply not suitable for taking photos of sports. A camera needs to have great focusing and fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

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built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (190 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus

Travel photography with Nikon S4100

Size is super crucial in selecting a travel camera. Overall, the Nikon S4100 gets a very good 67 for a travel camera which makes it a respectable pick for your trips.

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supports focus via touch
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery life (190 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)

Nikon S4100 Landscape photography features

In case you're looking to choose a digital camera for landscape photographs, the most critical factor will be image quality. The Nikon S4100 with it's bad score of 41 as a landscape camera is simply not suitable in the current marketplace.

Photography Glossary
really wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery pack (190 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording

Nikon S4100 Vlogging advice

A vlogging camera should come with a moving display screen, mic port and if possible IBIS. Taking everything into account, the Nikon S4100 is simply not suitable for vlogging as it comes to a bad rating of 33.

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really wide (26mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack

Nikon S4100 Alternatives

If you are looking for alternatives to the S4100, here is a range of the highest rated cameras which fall under the family of Ultracompact.

The line graph listed below gives you a bird's eye view of the S4100 versus it's highest scored competitors shown above.

Here are a handful of other cameras you might take into account as alternative options. To check out a full comparison, go to the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Nikon
Model
Nikon Coolpix S4100
Category
Ultracompact
Announced
2011-02-09
Body design
Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor Chip
Expeed C2
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Highest Possible resolution
4320 x 3240
RAW images
Maximum native ISO
3200
Lowest native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points
9
Lens
Lens mounting type
fixed lens
Lens focal range
26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture
f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus distance
10cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3 inch
Screen resolution
230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology
TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Min shutter speed
4 seconds
Max shutter speed
1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed
1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range
4.50 m
Flash settings
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions
1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution
1280x720
Video file format
Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Physical dimensions
95 x 57 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8")
Other
Battery life
190 shots
Type of battery
Battery Pack
Battery model
EN-EL19
Self timer
Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots
Single
Cost at release
$140