Nikon Coolpix S9900 vs Olympus Tough TG-870 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Nikon Coolpix S9900
53
WINNER
|
Olympus · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Olympus Tough TG-870
51
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix S9900 and the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 are both compact cameras announced a year apart, the Nikon in 2015 and the Olympus in 2016. On measurements, the Olympus is the lighter and slimmer option at 221 g and 28 mm deep, against 289 g and 40 mm for the Nikon. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 10, 2015 | January 6, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 112 x 66 x 40 mm | 113 x 64 x 28 mm |
| Camera weight | 289 g | 221 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor placing focus off centre, the S9900 is the stronger choice, offering 16 autofocus points against a single point on the TG-870. It also reaches 1/4000 second as its fastest shutter speed, against 1/2000 second on the Olympus, allowing shorter exposures to freeze quick motion or keep wide apertures usable in strong daylight. Neither camera has a viewfinder, so you frame every shot on the rear screen, and both carry a permanently attached zoom lens. Their shared stills figures also include 16 MP resolution, 7 fps burst and stabilisation on both bodies. One number favours the Olympus: its expanded ISO ceiling reaches 12800, against 6400 on the Nikon, for extra reach in very dim scenes. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | TruePic VII |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
844080 | 444080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
160300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor holiday clips and family footage, either camera serves: both record video, sharing a Full HD maximum resolution and a 60 fps maximum frame rate. Each also has a built-in timelapse mode for condensing a sunset or drifting clouds into a short clip. The TG-870 additionally offers H.264 recording, a widely compatible format that most editing software handles. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe TG-870's weather sealing makes it the camera for beach days, hiking and splashes that would keep the unsealed S9900 stowed. The Nikon answers with a touch screen, which speeds up placing the focus point and tapping through menus and playback. Several conveniences are shared. Both have GPS for geotagging travel photos, Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, and a flipping 3-inch LCD with 921000 dots, which makes self-portraits and overhead angles easy to compose. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe storage and battery figures match. Both write to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and both carry a 300-shot battery rating, so neither offers an endurance lead. A practical difference is charging. The S9900 supports USB charging, so you can top it up from a laptop or power bank between shoots, while the TG-870 does not charge over USB. Their batteries also differ, the EN-EL19 in the Nikon and the Li-50B in the Olympus, so spares are not interchangeable. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL19 | Li-50B |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 if your photography happens around water, sand or rain, because its weather sealing suits conditions the unsealed S9900 must avoid. It is also the lighter, slimmer camera to keep in a pocket or backpack.
Choose the Coolpix S9900 for general travel and family photography in kinder weather. Its 16 autofocus points place focus off centre more easily, its 1/4000 second shutter allows shorter exposures in bright light, and its touch screen plus USB charging keep day-to-day use quick and simple.