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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Introduced May 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 S1
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Revealed December 2007
  • Older Model is Konica Minolta 7D
  • Refreshed by Sony A77
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony A700, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the A700 (12MP) is fairly similar but the 1 S2 (1") and A700 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The 1 S2 was brought out 6 years later than the A700 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon 1 S2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the 1 S2 grades against the A700 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Sony A700

 1 S2 A700 
RevealedMay 2014December 2007Fresher by 79 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Nikon 1 S2

 A700 1 S2 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony A700

 1 S2 A700 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 S2 comes with external measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A700 has sizing of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Compare the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony A700 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the 1 S2 versus the A700.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 S2 and A700 is 93 and 58 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 S2 and A700.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1 S2 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Nikon 1 S2 will deliver extra detail having its extra 2.2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher 1 S2 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography info
Sony A700 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
MP count good (14.2MP)
good sensor size (1")
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Street photography advice
Sony A700 Street photography advice
71
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than others in class (190g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography advice
Sony A700 Sports photography advice
60
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
high frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
MP count good (14.2MP)
good sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 shots)
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Travel photography factors
Sony A700 Travel photography factors
66
lighter than others in class (190g)
MP count good (14.2 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
49
environment sealing
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography advice
Sony A700 Landscape photography advice
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
MP count good (14.2 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
62
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (12MP)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Vlogging details
Sony A700 Vlogging details
33
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (190g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing microphone jack
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony A700
 Nikon 1 S2Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 S2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-05-21 2007-12-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4A -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.1 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 115.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3072 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 171 11
Cross type focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 13 143
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes Fill, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/ slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 grams (0.42 lb) 768 grams (1.69 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 581
Other
Battery life 270 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL22 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $450 $1,000