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Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S3000 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Nikon S3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 27-108mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 116g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched February 2010
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the S3000 (12MP) and TX20 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S3000 was manufactured 3 years before the TX20 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the S3000 scores against the TX20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3000 over the Sony TX20

 S3000 TX20 

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Nikon S3000

 TX20 S3000 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2010Newer by 25 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S3000 and Sony TX20

 S3000 TX20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S3000 has got outside measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 116 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony TX20 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the S3000 vs the TX20.

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3000 and TX20 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through a spec sheet. The image below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S3000 and TX20.

Clearly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony TX20 to give you extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged S3000 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S3000
Portrait photography with Sony TX20
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
40
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3000 Street photography info
Sony TX20 Street photography info
48
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
weather proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3000 Sports photography advice
Sony TX20 Sports photography advice
17
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery (250 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S3000
Travel photography with Sony TX20
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (27mm)
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
72
better than average battery (250 CIPA)
weather proofing
supports focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3000 Landscape photography info
Sony TX20 Landscape photography info
28
pretty wide (27mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse function
52
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
better than average battery (250 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3000 as a Vlogging camera
Sony TX20 as a Vlogging camera
26
pretty wide (27mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone port
35
rather wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
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Nikon S3000 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3000 and Sony TX20
 Nikon Coolpix S3000Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S3000 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2010-02-03 2012-02-28
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 27-108mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.9 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing range 8cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 116 gr (0.26 lb) 133 gr (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 250 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL10 NP-BN
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $150 $330