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Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 Key Specs

Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Revealed February 2011
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released March 2009
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Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Nikon S3100 and Pentax P70, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the S3100 (14MP) and the P70 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S3100 was manufactured 24 months later than the P70 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summary of how the S3100 scores vs the P70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Pentax P70

 S3100 P70 
ReleasedFebruary 2011March 2009Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Nikon S3100

 P70 S3100 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Nikon S3100 and Pentax P70

 S3100 P70 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S3100 features outside dimensions of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax P70 has sizing of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check the Nikon S3100 and Pentax P70 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the S3100 and the P70.

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3100 and P70 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3100 and P70.

Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S3100 to give extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger S3100 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3100 Portrait photography information
Pentax P70 Portrait photography information
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3100 Street photography advice
Pentax P70 Street photography advice
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3100 Sports photography info
Pentax P70 Sports photography info
32
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3100 Travel photography information
Pentax P70 Travel photography information
65
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
56
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3100 Landscape photography features
Pentax P70 Landscape photography features
33
relatively wide (26mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
32
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S3100
Vlogging with Pentax P70
28
relatively wide (26mm)
provides face detect focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
Photography Glossary

Nikon S3100 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3100 and Pentax P70
 Nikon Coolpix S3100Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S3100 Pentax Optio P70
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-02-09 2009-03-02
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.50 m 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 118g (0.26 lb) 155g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 220 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $139 $200