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Nikon S02 vs Sony W550

Portability
97
Imaging
36
Features
28
Overall
32
Nikon Coolpix S02 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Nikon S02
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 100g - 77 x 51 x 18mm
  • Introduced September 2013
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon S02 vs Sony W550, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S02 (13MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the S02 (1/3") and W550 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The S02 was manufactured 2 years after the W550 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the S02 matches up vs the W550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S02 over the Sony W550

 S02 W550 
RevealedSeptember 2013July 2011Newer by 26 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Nikon S02

 W550 S02 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S02 and Sony W550

 S02 W550 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S02 comes with exterior dimensions of 77mm x 51mm x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 100 grams (0.22 lbs) while the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the S02 and the W550.

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S02 and W550 is 97 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The image here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S02 and W550.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S02 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony W550 will show greater detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger S02 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S02 Portrait photography info
Sony W550 Portrait photography info
33
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have RAW files
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S02 as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
58
built in image stabilization (Digital)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have RAW files
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S02 Sports photography info
Sony W550 Sports photography info
38
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (13MP)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S02 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W550 as a Travel photography camera
59
megapixel count good (13MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S02 Landscape photography features
Sony W550 Landscape photography features
33
built in image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (13MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
reasonably wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S02 Vlogging highlights
Sony W550 Vlogging highlights
33
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
29
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Nikon S02 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S02 and Sony W550
 Nikon Coolpix S02Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S02 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2013-09-05 2011-07-24
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4160 x 3120 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-90mm (3.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed - 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 1.40 m 3.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps); High-speed: 1920 x 1080 (15 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 100 grams (0.22 lbs) 110 grams (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 77 x 51 x 18mm (3.0" x 2.0" x 0.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 210 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model Built-in NP-BN1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots - -
Launch price $177 $119