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Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched June 2013
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon S31 versus Pentax S1, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and S1 (14MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and S1 (1/2.3") posses different sensor dimensions.

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The S31 was revealed 2 years after the S1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the S31 grades against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Pentax S1

 S31 S1 
ReleasedJune 2013March 2011Newer by 29 months

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Nikon S31

 S1 S31 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Pentax S1

 S31 S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon S31 features physical measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Nikon S31 versus Pentax S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the S31 vs the S1.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S31 and S1 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching technical specs. The picture below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S31 and S1.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S31 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Pentax S1 will render greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent S31 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 Portrait photography info
Pentax S1 Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of RAW support
35
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S31
Street photography with Pentax S1
52
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 Sports photography highlights
Pentax S1 Sports photography highlights
24
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 Travel photography details
Pentax S1 Travel photography details
59
environment proof
has built in flash
very good max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 Landscape photography details
Pentax S1 Landscape photography details
30
very good max aperture (f)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
42
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging information
Pentax S1 Vlogging information
24
very good max aperture (f)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
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Nikon S31 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Pentax S1
 Nikon Coolpix S31Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S31 Pentax Optio S1
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-21 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 18.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Crop factor 7.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185g (0.41 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 shots 260 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $90 $174