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Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Released February 2012
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon S30 and Pentax Q-S1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very comparable but the S30 (1/3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use different sensor sizes.

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The S30 was unveiled 3 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon S30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the S30 matches up vs the Q-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Pentax Q-S1

 S30 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon S30

 Q-S1 S30 
LaunchedAugust 2014February 2012More modern by 30 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Pentax Q-S1

 S30 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon S30 provides physical measurements of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S30 and Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the S30 compared to the Q-S1.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and Q-S1 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The pic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S30 and Q-S1.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S30 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Pentax Q-S1 will produce more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged S30 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
25
has face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW support
46
manual focus
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S30
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
51
environment sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than average (214g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
29
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 Travel photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography info
52
environment sealing
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average (214 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than others in class (203g)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S30
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
26
environment sealing
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
not so great battery life (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
23
has face detect focus
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than average (214 grams)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (203g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
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Nikon S30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon Coolpix S30Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S30 Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-02-01 2014-08-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 7.5 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.5fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 gr (0.47 pounds) 203 gr (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 photographs 250 photographs
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $119 $250