Clicky

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and S3 (14MP) and the S30 (1/3") and S3 (1/2.3") use different sensor measurements.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The S30 was revealed 14 months after the S3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S30 scores against the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic S3

 S30 S3 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2011Newer by 14 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon S30

 S3 S30 

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Panasonic S3

 S30 S3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon S30 features physical dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S30 versus Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the S30 and the S3.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the S30 and S3 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S30 and S3.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S30 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic S3 will give extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The younger S30 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography features
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
25
has face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S30
Street photography with Panasonic S3
51
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (214g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography features
Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
29
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
environment proof
low fps (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 Travel photography info
Panasonic S3 Travel photography info
52
environment proof
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (214g)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S30
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
26
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging info
Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
23
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (214 grams)
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Coolpix S30Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-01 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT-LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.5 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
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 214 grams (0.47 lbs) 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 images 250 images
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $119 $110