• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Nikon P520

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 101 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 550g
    Lighter weight

Nikon P520 advantages over Pentax W30

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    12 years vs 18 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P510

Pentax W30
Nikon P510
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon P510

Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P510

Compared to Nikon L830

Pentax W30
Nikon L830
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon L830

Nikon P520
Nikon L830
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon L830

Compared to Samsung WB1100F

Pentax W30
Samsung WB1100F
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $527
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Samsung WB1100F

Nikon P520
Samsung WB1100F
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $527
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon P520 vs Samsung WB1100F

Compared to Nikon P530

Pentax W30
Nikon P530
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon P530

Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P530

Compared to Nikon L840

Pentax W30
Nikon L840
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon L840

Nikon P520
Nikon L840
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon L840

Compare Other Cameras?