X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Nikon Coolpix S8200 review: Nikon Coolpix S8200

Nikon Coolpix S8200

Headshot of Joshua Goldman
Headshot of Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials
  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
Joshua Goldman
8 min read

The Nikon Coolpix S8200 seems to be just a shrunken-down version of the 18x Coolpix S9100, with most if not all of the same shooting features. Instead of an 18x zoom, it packs a 14x f3.3-5.9 25-350mm lens in a camera body 1.3 inches thick. It also has a higher-resolution sensor than the S9100: 16 megapixels compared with 12.

7.2

Nikon Coolpix S8200

The Good

The <b>Nikon Coolpix S8200</b> is easy to use, has an excellent feature set for its price, and has a lot of fun shooting options to experiment with.

The Bad

The S8200's autofocus can be slow at times, its flash is poorly placed, and its photo quality isn't for everybody.

The Bottom Line

The Nikon Coolpix S8200 might not be as easy to recommend as its predecessor, the S8100, but it's still a very good compact megazoom for the money.

I'd argue that while the lens is nice, the extra megapixels are not important. They don't bring anything to the table other than a big-number spec to get your attention. That said, the S8200 is capable of taking some very nice photos. It has some other issues that might not thrill you, though, so please read on to see if any of them are deal breakers for you.

At its MSRP of $329.95, the S8200 would be a hard sell, but with it currently selling for around $250, it's definitely worth considering if you're looking for a little extra zoom in your pocket.

7.2

Nikon Coolpix S8200

Score Breakdown

Design 7Features 8Performance 7Image quality 7