Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500
90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26
93 Imaging
36 Features
30 Overall
33
Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs
(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
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide 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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S30 & Pentax Optio RS1500. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon S30 Gallery & Pentax RS1500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Pentax RS1500
| S30 | RS1500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | February 2012 | March 2011 | More 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimension | 2.7" | 2.7" | Identical display measurements | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | The 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.
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.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S30 and RS1500 is 90 and 93 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Glossary Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banStreet Comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraSports Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneTravel Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsLandscape Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthVlogging Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Nikon S30 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix S30 | Pentax 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 |