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Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
30
Overall
33

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Launched February 2012
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and RS1500 (14MP) and the S30 (1/3") and RS1500 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The S30 was brought out 11 months after the RS1500 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S30 grades against the RS1500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Pentax RS1500

 S30 RS1500 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012March 2011More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Nikon S30

 RS1500 S30 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Pentax RS1500

 S30 RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon S30 comes with exterior 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 Pentax RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the S30 against the RS1500.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S30 and RS1500 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The picture below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and RS1500.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S30 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax RS1500 will provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern S30 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography advice
24
provides face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW format
34
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
51
environment sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (214g)
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S30
Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
28
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
36
good MP (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S30
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
52
environment sealing
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (214g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
67
environment proofing
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S30
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
25
environment sealing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
40
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good MP (14MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging features
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging features
23
provides face detection focus
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (214g)
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Pentax RS1500
 Nikon Coolpix S30Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S30 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-01 2011-03-16
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 surface area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT-LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.5 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 214g (0.47 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 images
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $119 $150