Measuring just 32.7mm thick, key features of the S8200 include a 16.1 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, high resolution 3 inch LCD screen, full 1080p high-definition movies with stereo sound, lens-shift Vibration Reduction, 1cm macro mode, shooting mode dial and a fast auto-focus system, shutter-lag and startup time.

The Nikon P310 features a 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, full manual controls, 1080p HD video recording, a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, a high-resolution LCD screen and 5fps burst shooting.

Other shooting options include several burst shooting options, including 120fps and 60fps bursts that capture up to 60 shots at VGA and 1-megapixel resolution, respectively, and an HDR (high dynamic range) mode that combines photos taken at different exposures to help bring out highlight and shadow detail.

f/4.9. Also worth noting is the fact that because of the small sensor size (It's 1/2.3 inch type), even when wide open, the lens doesn't deliver any significant shallow depth-of-field benefit (an f/4.9 aperture with a sensor this small is equivalent in depth of field terms to f/36.8 in full-frame 135mm terms).

These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m. Forced Off - Wide Angle (25mm).

I wanted a camera to do group photos and the wide angle on this is nice.

Indeed, according to the specifications (pg 6) the aperture has only 2 positions f3.3 and f6.6 (at the widest zoom), although you don't have a choice even there.

*When the aperture value is set to f/1.8 (largest aperture), the fastest shutter speed is 1/1600 second.

While I love the idea of the P300s fast 1.8 lens, the P300s zoom range is around 24-100mm, whereas this camera's is 25-300mm, and I really need the zoom more than the fast lens.

Viewed from the perspective of the average point-and-shoot upgrader though, the P310 is a small, pocketable camera with improved ergonomics, that offers full manual control over exposure and gives decent if not exceptional image quality in a wide variety of shooting conditions.

I'm still amazed at the quality and the cool features packed into this sweet little camera.

Small, compact and slim enough to fit into the pocket of your jeans - you can tote this little fellow with you anywhere.