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Canon A480 vs Nikon S02

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
13
Overall
25
Canon PowerShot A480 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S02 front
Portability
97
Imaging
36
Features
28
Overall
32

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 Key Specs

Canon A480
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 140g - 92 x 62 x 31mm
  • Announced January 2009
Nikon S02
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 100g - 77 x 51 x 18mm
  • Announced September 2013
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Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Canon A480 vs Nikon S02, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the A480 (10MP) and S02 (13MP) and the A480 (1/2.3") and S02 (1/3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The A480 was released 5 years earlier than the S02 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A480 grades versus the S02 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A480 over the Nikon S02

 A480 S02 

Reasons to pick Nikon S02 over the Canon A480

 S02 A480 
AnnouncedSeptember 2013January 2009More modern by 56 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k115kClearer display (+115k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon A480 and Nikon S02

 A480 S02 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A480 has got external measurements of 92mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Nikon S02 has proportions of 77mm x 51mm x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 100 grams (0.22 lbs).

Check out the Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the A480 compared to the S02.

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A480 and S02 is 94 and 97 respectively.

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 top view buttons comparison

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A480 and S02.

To sum up, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A480 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon S02 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged A480 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 sensor size comparison

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A480
Portrait photography with Nikon S02
25
high flash sync (1/500s)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
good resolution (13MP)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A480 Street photography information
Nikon S02 Street photography information
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
58
image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A480 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S02 as a Sports photography camera
16
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
38
image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (13MP)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A480 Travel photography features
Nikon S02 Travel photography features
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
59
good resolution (13 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A480 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S02 as a Landscape photography camera
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
33
image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (13 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A480 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S02 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone port
33
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic port
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Canon A480 vs Nikon S02 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A480 and Nikon S02
 Canon PowerShot A480Nikon Coolpix S02
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A480 Nikon Coolpix S02
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2009-01-15 2013-09-05
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 13 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4160 x 3120
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 5 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 30-90mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 7.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 115k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds -
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 1.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps); High-speed: 1920 x 1080 (15 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 140 gr (0.31 pounds) 100 gr (0.22 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 62 x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") 77 x 51 x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 210 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA Built-in
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal -
Storage slots One -
Retail cost $210 $177