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Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR

Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Ricoh GR front
Portability
90
Imaging
57
Features
54
Overall
55

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Key Specs

Nikon S30
(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
  • Launched February 2012
Ricoh GR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 245g - 117 x 61 x 35mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Renewed by Ricoh GR II
Photography Glossary

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Nikon S30 and Ricoh GR, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Ricoh. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and GR (16MP) and the S30 (1/3") and GR (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S30 was launched 14 months prior to the GR making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon S30 being a Compact camera and the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the S30 matches up against the GR in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Ricoh GR

 S30 GR 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Nikon S30

 GR S30 
RevealedApril 2013February 2012More modern by 14 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1230k230kClearer display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Ricoh GR

 S30 GR 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S30 features external measurements 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 Ricoh GR has dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S30 and Ricoh GR in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the S30 versus the GR.

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S30 and GR is 90 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S30 and GR.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S30 because of its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Ricoh GR will give extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged S30 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S30
Portrait photography with Ricoh GR
24
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
no RAW support
74
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Street photography camera
Ricoh GR as a Street photography camera
51
environment proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/3")
no RAW support
more heavy than average in class (214g)
74
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (245 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S30
Sports photography with Ricoh GR
28
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
no phase detect auto focus
45
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (28mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S30
Travel photography with Ricoh GR
52
environment proof
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (214 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography factors
Ricoh GR Landscape photography factors
25
environment proof
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
61
focusing manually
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging information
Ricoh GR Vlogging information
23
comes with face detect focus
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (214 grams)
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon S30 vs Ricoh GR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Ricoh GR
 Nikon Coolpix S30Ricoh GR
General Information
Make Nikon Ricoh
Model type Nikon Coolpix S30 Ricoh GR
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-01 2013-04-17
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28mm (1x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 7.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT-LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 300 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.5 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/4000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 ( 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 972
Other
Battery life 240 photographs 290 photographs
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA DB65
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $119 $971