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Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Newer Model is Nikon AW110
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
  • Announced February 2012
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Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Nikon AW100 and Nikon S30, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and S30 (10MP) and the AW100 (1/2.3") and S30 (1/3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The AW100 was released 5 months before the S30 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the AW100 scores vs the S30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Nikon S30

 AW100 S30 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Nikon AW100

 S30 AW100 

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Nikon S30

 AW100 S30 
AnnouncedAugust 2011February 2012Same age
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon AW100 provides physical measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Nikon S30 has sizing of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Nikon AW100 and Nikon S30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the AW100 and the S30.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and S30 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and S30.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The AW100 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Nikon AW100 will result in more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images much more aggressively.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Portrait photography camera
30
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
24
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Street photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Street photography camera
55
weather proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
51
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (214 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography info
Nikon S30 Sports photography info
33
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
28
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
environment sealing
slow fps (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography advice
Nikon S30 Travel photography advice
67
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
52
environment sealing
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (214 grams)
low resolution (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Landscape photography camera
41
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proof
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
25
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor size (1/3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S30 as a Vlogging camera
29
relatively wide (28mm)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic port
23
offers face detection focus
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (214 grams)
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Nikon AW100 vs Nikon S30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Nikon S30
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Nikon Coolpix S30
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW100 Nikon Coolpix S30
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-08-24 2012-02-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 7.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 1.5 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lb) 214 grams (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 240 pictures
Type of battery - AA
Battery ID EN-EL12 2 x AA
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $299 $119