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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon S9500
  • Replacement is Nikon S9900
Pentax RZ10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the RZ10 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9700 was unveiled 2 years later than the RZ10 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the S9700 grades vs the RZ10 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Pentax RZ10

 S9700 RZ10 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014July 2011More recent by 32 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Nikon S9700

 RZ10 S9700 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Pentax RZ10

 S9700 RZ10 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S9700 enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ10 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the S9700 vs the RZ10.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9700 and RZ10 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The graphic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S9700 and RZ10.

Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon S9700 to provide more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern S9700 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ10 Portrait photography details
37
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 Street photography factors
Pentax RZ10 Street photography factors
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (232g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ10 Sports photography highlights
53
long zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (178 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 Travel photography information
Pentax RZ10 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competitors in class (232 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (750mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.7)
66
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (280mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (178 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9700
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ10
45
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse function
43
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (178 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9700
Vlogging with Pentax RZ10
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (232g)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax RZ10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Pentax RZ10
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Pentax Optio RZ10
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9700 Pentax Optio RZ10
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-02-07 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-750mm (30.0x) 28-280mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.2-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 2.80 m
Flash settings TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 232 grams (0.51 lbs) 178 grams (0.39 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 300 images 178 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $350 $200