Nikon Coolpix S9900 vs Olympus Tough TG-4 — 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-4
49
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix S9900 and the Olympus Tough TG-4 are both compact cameras released in 2015. The S9900 is a conventional pocket camera, while the Tough TG-4 is a ruggedised model built for outdoor use, so the deciding differences are body design, speed and battery. The Tough TG-4 is the smaller and lighter carry, at 247 g against 289 g and 31 mm deep against 40 mm, so it packs into a pocket more easily. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 10, 2015 | April 13, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 112 x 66 x 40 mm | 112 x 66 x 31 mm |
| Camera weight | 289 g | 247 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe S9900 is the stronger pick for moving subjects, with a 7 fps burst against 5 fps and 16 autofocus points against the Tough TG-4's single point. The extra points help you keep focus on an off-centre subject, and the faster burst gives you more frames to choose from. Its 1/4000 second top shutter speed, against 1/2000, helps freeze fast action. Resolution is shared: both use a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, so cropping latitude for a landscape or a group shot is the same. Both offer in-body stabilisation, and neither has a viewfinder, so framing happens on the rear screen. The TG-4's expanded ISO ceiling reaches 12800, against 6400 on the S9900. | ||
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 | 5 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 | 10030200 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Nikon Coolpix S9900 is the better pick for slow motion, with a 60 fps maximum frame rate against 30 fps on the Tough TG-4. Playing 60 fps footage at half speed keeps motion smooth for a child's dive or a dog catching a ball. Both cameras cap video resolution at Full HD. Built-in time-lapse on both cameras compresses a sunset or rolling clouds into a short sequence without external gear. | ||
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 | 30 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 | H.264, MOV, Motion JPEG |
| Features | 54/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is the Tough TG-4's defining advantage: it keeps shooting through rain, spray and dust where the S9900 needs protection, suiting kayaking, beach days and dusty trails. The S9900 counters with a flip-out screen for self-portraits, overhead framing and low-angle shots. A shared practical benefit is GPS, which tags photos with location data for organising trip galleries by place. Both offer Wi-Fi transfer to a phone, a 3-inch TFT LCD and touch control. The S9900's screen shows more detail, at 921,000 dots against 460,000. | ||
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 | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
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 | No |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Tough TG-4 has the longer rated battery life, 380 shots against 300 on the S9900, useful on a full day of hiking. Internal storage alongside its SD, SDHC and SDXC slot lets you keep shooting if a card fills or is forgotten. The S9900's useful edge is USB charging, so you can top up its EN-EL19 battery from a laptop or power bank. The Tough TG-4 uses a LI-92B battery and does not support USB charging. Neither offers a second card slot, so a spare card matters on long trips. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, internal storage |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL19 | LI-92B |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus Tough TG-4 for rough conditions: its sealed body handles rain, spray and dust, its 380-shot rated battery outlasts the S9900's 300, and GPS keeps trip photos organised by location.
Choose the Nikon Coolpix S9900 for people and action in everyday conditions. Its 7 fps burst, 16 autofocus points and 1/4000 second shutter suit running kids and sports, and the flip screen enables self-portraits and awkward angles.