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Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2011
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 S3100 vs Sony TX20 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the S3100 (14MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S3100 was revealed 12 months before the TX20 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the S3100 scores versus the TX20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Sony TX20

 S3100 TX20 

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Nikon S3100

 TX20 S3100 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2011Fresher by 12 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon S3100 and Sony TX20

 S3100 TX20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S3100 comes with outer measurements of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony TX20 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the S3100 compared to the TX20.

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3100 and TX20 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S3100 and TX20.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony TX20 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The older S3100 will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
40
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3100 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Street photography camera
48
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
environment proof
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3100 Sports photography details
Sony TX20 Sports photography details
32
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
50
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery (250 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3100 Travel photography features
Sony TX20 Travel photography features
65
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
72
better than average battery (250 CIPA)
environment proof
has focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3100 Landscape photography features
Sony TX20 Landscape photography features
33
relatively wide (26mm)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
52
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment proof
better than average battery (250 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3100 Vlogging details
Sony TX20 Vlogging details
28
relatively wide (26mm)
comes with face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone socket
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Nikon S3100 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3100 and Sony TX20
 Nikon Coolpix S3100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S3100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-02-09 2012-02-28
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus distance 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.50 m 3.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 118 gr (0.26 lb) 133 gr (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 shots 250 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $139 $330