Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80
90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26


95 Imaging
34 Features
23 Overall
29
Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S30 & Pentax Optio P80. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon S30 Gallery & Pentax P80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Pentax P80
S30 | P80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2012 | ![]() | August 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax P80 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S30 | Pentax 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 |