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Canon S120 vs Nikon S30

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 Key Specs

Canon S120
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
  • 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon S110
Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Canon S120 vs Nikon S30, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the S30 (10MP) is very similar but the S120 (1/1.7") and S30 (1/3") possess different sensor size.

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The S120 was released 23 months later than the S30 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the S120 scores against the S30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Nikon S30

 S120 S30 
IntroducedNovember 2013February 2012Fresher by 23 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Canon S120

 S30 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Nikon S30

 S120 S30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon S120 enjoys outer measurements of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Nikon S30 has sizing of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the S120 compared to the S30.

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and S30 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S120 and S30.

As you can see, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S120 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Canon S120 will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The younger S120 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography factors
Nikon S30 Portrait photography factors
42
manual focus
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
25
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon S120 as a Street photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
features touch to focus
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (217g)
51
weather proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than others in class (214 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography highlights
Nikon S30 Sports photography highlights
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
29
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.5 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography highlights
Nikon S30 Travel photography highlights
67
features touch to focus
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition in class (217g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
52
weather proof
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (214 grams)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography information
Nikon S30 Landscape photography information
57
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
26
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon S120
Vlogging with Nikon S30
35
decently wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (217 grams)
23
offers face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
heavier than others in class (214 grams)
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Canon S120 vs Nikon S30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Nikon S30
 Canon PowerShot S120Nikon Coolpix S30
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot S120 Nikon Coolpix S30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-11-26 2012-02-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 7.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 1.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 217 grams (0.48 lb) 214 grams (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 246 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 shots 240 shots
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-6LH 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $449 $119