• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 87.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax S12 advantages over Nikon S30

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.32 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    111 mm vs 87 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    130g vs 214g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    12.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 vs 1/1000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S30 advantages over Pentax S12

  • Less expensive
    $120 vs $280 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Wider angle lens
    29 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax S12

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S30

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Pentax S12
Pentax A40
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs Pentax A40

Nikon S30
Pentax A40
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S30 vs Pentax A40

Compared to Samsung SL310

Pentax S12
Samsung SL310
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs Samsung SL310

Nikon S30
Samsung SL310
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S30 vs Samsung SL310

Compared to Samsung TL34HD

Pentax S12
Samsung TL34HD
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax S12 vs Samsung TL34HD

Nikon S30
Samsung TL34HD
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S30 vs Samsung TL34HD

Compared to Nikon S31

Pentax S12
Nikon S31
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Pentax S12 vs Nikon S31

Nikon S30
Nikon S31
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Faster shutter

Compare Nikon S30 vs Nikon S31

Compared to Nikon S33

Pentax S12
Nikon S33
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Pentax S12 vs Nikon S33

Nikon S30
Nikon S33
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon S30 vs Nikon S33

Compare Other Cameras?