Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20
90 Imaging
33 Features
18 Overall
27
![Nikon Coolpix S30 front Nikon Coolpix S30 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-Coolpix-S30/Nikon-S30-front.jpg)
![Pentax Optio VS20 front Pentax Optio VS20 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-Optio-VS20/Pentax-VS20-front.jpg)
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 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
- Released February 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
- 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
- Revealed January 2012
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Overview
Lets look closer at the Nikon S30 and Pentax VS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the S30 (1/3") and VS20 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The S30 was released at a similar time to the VS20 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the S30 scores vs the VS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S30 and Pentax Optio VS20. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon S30 Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Pentax VS20
S30 | VS20 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon S30
VS20 | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon S30 and Pentax VS20
S30 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | Same generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon S30 offers physical measurements of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
Check the Nikon S30 and Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the S30 against the VS20.
![Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-S30-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability score of the S30 and VS20 is 90 and 90 respectively.
![Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-S30-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S30 and VS20.
As you have seen, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S30 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax VS20 will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.
![Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-S30-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-Coolpix-S30-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Nikon S30 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S30 | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S30 | Pentax Optio VS20 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2012-02-01 | 2012-01-25 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 4.8 x 3.6mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 17.3mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 3 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 29-87mm (3.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.1-4.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 7.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT-LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/2500s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.5 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 2.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 214g (0.47 pounds) | 235g (0.52 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
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 images | - |
Battery format | AA | - |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | D-LI122 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $119 | $106 |