• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.83 inch 36.9mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S100 advantages over Nokia N8

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $549 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/1.83 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1/5 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nokia N8 advantages over Canon S100

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    12 mm vs 26 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Lighter weight
    135g vs 192g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    691k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster shutter
    1/5000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Canon S100

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Review Excerpt

  • Slimmer than past models; 12-megapixel resolution sensor improves on image quality across ISO range; Video includes 1080p, autofocus, and zoom during recording; HDR mode works well.

  • Costs $30 more; Slight buzz when zooming while recording video; Grip isn't as useful as it could be; Slow autofocus.

  • Read our Canon S100 Review
  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nokia N8, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Nokia N8 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Canon S100
Pentax A40
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • RAW file ability
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon S100 vs Pentax A40

Nokia N8
Pentax A40
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Pentax A40

Compared to Pentax S12

Canon S100
Pentax S12
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon S100 vs Pentax S12

Nokia N8
Pentax S12
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Pentax S12

Compared to Canon S95

Canon S100
Canon S95
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon S100 vs Canon S95

Nokia N8
Canon S95
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Canon S95

Compared to Canon S110

Canon S100
Canon S110
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon S100 vs Canon S110

Nokia N8
Canon S110
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Nokia N8 vs Canon S110

Compared to Leica C

Canon S100
Leica C
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon S100 vs Leica C

Nokia N8
Leica C
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nokia N8 vs Leica C

Compare Other Cameras?