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Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1

Portability
75
Imaging
36
Features
38
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Succeeded the Nikon L110
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L120 was announced within a month of the S1 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the L120 grades against the S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Pentax S1

 L120 S1 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Nikon L120

 S1 L120 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Pentax S1

 L120 S1 
LaunchedFebruary 2011March 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon L120 enjoys outer dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the L120 vs the S1.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the L120 and S1 is 75 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing specifications. The graphic underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the L120 and S1.

To sum up, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of files but you need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 Portrait photography factors
Pentax S1 Portrait photography factors
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography info
Pentax S1 Street photography info
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L120
Sports photography with Pentax S1
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography advice
Pentax S1 Travel photography advice
60
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography details
Pentax S1 Landscape photography details
40
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L120
Vlogging with Pentax S1
27
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
28
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon L120 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Pentax S1
 Nikon Coolpix L120Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L120 Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-09 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-525mm (21.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 431g (0.95 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $300 $174