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We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using DXO Analyzer software to generate the data to produce the graphs below.
A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.
For more more details on how to interpret our test data, check out our full explanation of our noise and dynamic range tests.
Here we compare the Nikon Coolpix S800c with the Panasonic TZ30, Samsung Galaxy Camera and Fuji F600 EXR.
JPEG signal to noise ratio
These results show that JPEG images from the Nikon Coolpix S800c have a strong signal to noise ratio at the lower sensitivity settings, but fall behind the Samsung Galaxy Camera at ISO 400-800, though the Nikon's images overtake again at ISO 1600 and above. The Nikon produces almost identical signal to noise ratio results to the Panasonic TZ30, until the top of the sensitivity range, where the Nikon is a few points ahead. The Nikon S800c shows a stronger SNR than the Fuji F600 EXR at almost every ISO. It is the best camera here for higher ISOs.
JPEG dynamic range
JPEG results for dynamic range show less fluctuations than those for signal to noise ratio, with the Nikon Coolpix S800c maintaining a fairly steady score at ISO 125-800, sitting below the the Panasonic TZ30 and above the Samsung Galaxy Camera. It dips below both rival cameras at ISO 1600, though, before finishing at ISO 3200 between the two again. The Fuji F600 EXR begins showing stronger dynamic range in its JPEG images than the Nikon, before plunging below all three other cameras at ISO 400 and above. The Nikon S800c doesn't perform as well in terms of dynamic range as it did for signal to noise ratio, but it's not the worst here either.
