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Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

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
  • Announced February 2012
Pentax E85
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 32-96mm (F2.9-5.2) lens
  • 145g - 93 x 58 x 24mm
  • Announced September 2009
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Below is a detailed assessment of the Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the E85 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the S30 (1/3") and E85 (1/2.3") posses different sensor dimensions.

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The S30 was announced 2 years later than the E85 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the S30 grades against the E85 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Pentax E85

 S30 E85 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012September 2009More recent by 29 months

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Nikon S30

 E85 S30 

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Pentax E85

 S30 E85 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon S30 has got outside dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the S30 compared to the E85.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and E85 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and E85.

To sum up, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S30 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax E85 will resolve greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent S30 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax E85 Portrait photography advice
25
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/3")
no RAW files
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 Street photography details
Pentax E85 Street photography details
51
environment proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/3")
no RAW files
heavier than average (214 grams)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
29
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
environment proofing
max frames per second low (1.5 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
no phase detect AF
17
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
52
environment proofing
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (214g)
low resolution (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S30
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
26
environment proofing
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
23
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging highlights
Pentax E85 Vlogging highlights
23
has face detection focusing
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
heavier than average (214g)
22
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Pentax E85
 Nikon Coolpix S30Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S30 Pentax Optio E85
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-01 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.5 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync -
Hot shoe
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lbs) 145 grams (0.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Battery style AA -
Battery model 2 x AA D-LI95
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $119 $0