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Nikon S31 vs Sony S950

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Revealed June 2013
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Nikon S31 vs Sony S950, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the S31 (10MP) and the S950 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the S31 (1/2.9") and S950 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The S31 was launched 4 years after the S950 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the S31 scores against the S950 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Sony S950

 S31 S950 
IntroducedJune 2013February 2009Newer by 53 months

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Nikon S31

 S950 S31 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Sony S950

 S31 S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S31 comes with physical dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the S31 and the S950.

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S31 and S950 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S31 and S950.

All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The S31 has got the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher. The younger S31 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S950 Portrait photography highlights
20
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
has no RAW support
26
focusing manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Street photography camera
Sony S950 as a Street photography camera
52
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.9")
has no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S31
Sports photography with Sony S950
25
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
has no phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 Travel photography factors
Sony S950 Travel photography factors
59
environment proofing
built-in flash
very good max aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (29mm)
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
30
very good max aperture (f)
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
31
focusing manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S950 as a Vlogging camera
24
very good max aperture (f)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon S31 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Sony S950
 Nikon Coolpix S31Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S31 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2009-02-17
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 surface area 18.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 7.3 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
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 720 -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $90 $130