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Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80

Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
23
Overall
29

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Nikon S30 and Pentax P80, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the P80 (12MP) is relatively close but the S30 (1/3") and P80 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The S30 was announced 2 years after the P80 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the S30 matches up against the P80 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Pentax P80

 S30 P80 
IntroducedFebruary 2012August 2009More modern by 31 months

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Nikon S30

 P80 S30 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Pentax P80

 S30 P80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S30 offers outer measurements of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax P80 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S30 and Pentax P80 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the S30 vs the P80.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and P80 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The image below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S30 and P80.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S30 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax P80 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher S30 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography info
Pentax P80 Portrait photography info
24
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S30
Street photography with Pentax P80
51
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition (214 grams)
55
lighter than competition in class (125g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography features
Pentax P80 Sports photography features
28
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor size (1/3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S30
Travel photography with Pentax P80
52
weather sealing
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (214g)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
61
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax P80 Landscape photography factors
25
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor size (1/3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
32
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging features
Pentax P80 Vlogging features
23
features face detection focus
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
more heavy than competition (214 grams)
28
really wide (28mm)
lighter than competition in class (125g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Pentax P80
 Nikon Coolpix S30Pentax Optio P80
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S30 Pentax Optio P80
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-01 2009-08-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CCD 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 10MP 12MP
Anti alias 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 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.6-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.5 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 125 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 photos -
Style of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $119 $200