• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 156.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax S12 advantages over Nikon S5200

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 160 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Nikon S5200 advantages over Pentax S12

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $280 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    156 mm vs 111 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 232k 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
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    26 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax S12

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S5200
Nikon S5200

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 S5200
Pentax A40
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S5200 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 S5200
Samsung SL310
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S5200 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 S5200
Samsung TL34HD
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S5200 vs Samsung TL34HD

Compared to Sony TX200V

Pentax S12
Sony TX200V
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs Sony TX200V

Nikon S5200
Sony TX200V
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon S5200 vs Sony TX200V

Compared to Sony TF1

Pentax S12
Sony TF1
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Pentax S12 vs Sony TF1

Nikon S5200
Sony TF1
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S5200 vs Sony TF1

Compare Other Cameras?