• 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S2 advantages over Sony RX100 VA

  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 1000 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.85 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    190g vs 299g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 23.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Nikon S2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon S2

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q7

Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100 VA
Pentax Q7
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon S2
Samsung NX Mini
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony RX100 VA
Samsung NX Mini
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100 VA
Pentax Q-S1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Nikon S2
Sony RX100 V
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $998
  • 1 inch

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Nikon S2
Sony ZV-1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100 VA
Sony ZV-1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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