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Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Old Model is Nikon L110
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
  • Launched February 2012
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Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Nikon L120 versus Nikon S30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Nikon. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the L120 (14MP) and S30 (10MP) and the L120 (1/2.3") and S30 (1/3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The L120 was revealed 11 months prior to the S30 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the L120 scores versus the S30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Nikon S30

 L120 S30 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Nikon L120

 S30 L120 
LaunchedFebruary 2012February 2011Newer by 11 months

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Nikon S30

 L120 S30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon L120 has external dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) whilst the Nikon S30 has sizing of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L120 versus Nikon S30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the L120 vs the S30.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and S30 is 75 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching specifications. The picture below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L120 and S30.

Plainly, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The L120 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Nikon L120 will render more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged L120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 Portrait photography info
Nikon S30 Portrait photography info
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
25
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L120
Street photography with Nikon S30
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
51
weather sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/3")
no RAW support
more heavy than average in class (214g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
43
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
29
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
weather sealing
max frames per second low (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography info
Nikon S30 Travel photography info
60
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
weather sealing
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (214 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Landscape photography camera
40
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
26
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging features
Nikon S30 Vlogging features
27
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
23
supports face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (214g)
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Nikon L120 vs Nikon S30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Nikon S30
 Nikon Coolpix L120Nikon Coolpix S30
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix L120 Nikon Coolpix S30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-09 2012-02-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-525mm (21.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 7.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 431g (0.95 lb) 214g (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 240 photographs
Style of battery AA AA
Battery model 4 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $300 $119