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Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched March 2015
  • Superseded the Olympus SH-1
  • Later Model is Olympus SH-3
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Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Nikon S30 and Olympus SH-2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and SH-2 (16MP) and the S30 (1/3") and SH-2 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The S30 was unveiled 4 years before the SH-2 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the S30 scores vs the SH-2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Olympus SH-2

 S30 SH-2 

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Nikon S30

 SH-2 S30 
LaunchedMarch 2015February 2012Newer by 37 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Olympus SH-2

 S30 SH-2 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Nikon S30 enjoys exterior dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has sizing of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S30 and Olympus SH-2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S30 compared to the SH-2.

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S30 and SH-2 is 90 and 88 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S30 and SH-2.

All in all, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S30 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Olympus SH-2 will give you greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged S30 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
25
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks RAW format
44
good MP (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 Street photography highlights
Olympus SH-2 Street photography highlights
51
weather proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition (214g)
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Sports photography camera
29
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.5 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks phase detect AF
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
good battery (380 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 Travel photography details
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography details
52
weather proofing
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (214g)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
74
good battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
offers touch to focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography advice
26
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
55
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
saves RAW files
good battery (380 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging details
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging details
23
includes face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition (214 grams)
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
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Nikon S30 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Olympus SH-2
 Nikon Coolpix S30Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix S30 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-01 2015-03-11
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.5 frames/s 11.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 271g (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 240 photographs 380 photographs
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA LI-92B
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $119 $399