• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax S12 advantages over Nikon P7100

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 48 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    130g vs 395g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    12.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon P7100 advantages over Pentax S12

  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    200 mm vs 111 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 232k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Faster overall; Very good image quality; Generous 7.1x zoom range; Good controls; Tilting VGA LCD; RAW support.

  • Video limited to 720p24; Other cameras are still faster in some areas; LCD tilts only up or down, not side-to-side; Sub-command dial turns too easily.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Pentax S12
Pentax A40
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon P7100
Pentax A40
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Nikon P7100
Samsung SL310
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Nikon P7100
Samsung TL34HD
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon G11

Pentax S12
Canon G11
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon P7100
Canon G11
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compared to Nikon P7000

Pentax S12
Nikon P7000
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon P7100
Nikon P7000
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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