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Nikon S02 Review

  • Overview
  • Alternatives
  • Nikon S02

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    Main Features

    • 13MP - 1/3-inch CMOS Sensor
    • ISO 125 - 1600
    • 30-90 mm F3.3-5.9 Zoom Lens
    • Digital only Image Stabilization
    • 2.7" Fixed Type Screen
    • Unknown continuous shooting
    • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video
    • 100g. 77 x 51 x 18 mm
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    Nikon S02 Overview

    First introduced in September 2013 , Nikon Coolpix S02 is a 13.0MP Ultracompact camera with a 1/3-inch (4.8 x 3.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor, built-in Image Stabilization and 30-90 mm F3.3-5.9 lens.

    Nikon S02 Review - Click for Table of Contents

    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Sensor and Photography Features
    4. Physical Specs
    5. LCD and Viewfinder
    6. Connectivity, Storage and Battery
    7. Video
    8. Other Features
    9. Lens
    10. Photography Type Scores
    11. Alternatives
    12. Popular Comparisons
    13. Frequently Asked Questions
    14. Detailed Specifications

    Nikon S02 has an Overall Score of 34/100 and ranked #358 out of 629 in Compact cameras (Top 10 Compact), and ranked #953 out of 1223 in all Cameras (Top 10 Overall).

    Main Scores
    Imaging
    Features
    Value for Money
    Portability
    Overall Score
    Check our Smart Finder Tool to filter, sort and compare all digital cameras.



    Nikon S02 Physical Specs
    Nikon S02 weighs 100 g (0.22 lb / 3.53 oz) and has external dimensions of 77 x 51 x 18 mm (3.03 x 2.01 x 0.69″). Considering that the average weight of Compact type cameras is 188g, Nikon S02 is a remarkably light camera for its class. Even better, with a thickness of only 18mm, it is also quite small, 10mm thinner than the average of its class.
    Weight Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Nikon S02
    Min
    Average
    Max
    Thickness Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Nikon S02
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Here is the front and top view image of Nikon S02 with the dimensions:

    Nikon S02 Body Size Dimensions
    Front and Top View External Dimensions and Size of Nikon S02 Camera Body

    In order to give you a better idea about the real life size of Nikon S02, we have added an image of how it looks next to a credit card and an AA type battery.


    Nikon S02 Body Size Compared to a Credit card and a Battery
    Physical size of the Nikon S02 Body Compared to a Credit Card and an AA Battery


    Below you can find the comparison of the weight and thickness of Nikon S02 with its main competitors:

    Nikon S02 Size Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Weight vs S02 Thickness vs S02
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Nikon S01
    Compare
    96g 4g lighter 17mm 1mm thinner
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera FujiFilm AX350
    Compare
    168g 68g heavier 28mm 10mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Fujifilm S4800
    Compare
    518g 418g heavier 100mm 82mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Nikon S2900
    Compare
    119g 19g heavier 20mm 2mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Sony HX30V
    Compare
    254g 154g heavier 35mm 17mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Canon ELPH 180
    Compare
    126g 26g heavier 22mm 4mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Sony A3000
    Compare
    411g 311g heavier 85mm 67mm thicker
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Samsung NX1
    Compare
    550g 450g heavier 66mm 48mm thicker

    Weather Sealing

    Nikon S02 doesn't have any environmental sealings on its body so you got to be extra careful to protect it against water and dust. If you shoot under these conditions very often, consider checking Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing page.

    Nikon S02 Sensor and Photography Features

    Nikon S02 has a 13.0MP 1/3-inch (4.8 x 3.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . You can shoot at maximum resolution of 4160 x 3120 pixels with aspect ratios of and 4:3. S02 has a native ISO range of 125 - 1600 but unfortunately, Nikon S02 doesn't have RAW file support. If you need a Compact camera with a RAW support, consider or in the same price range.

    Nikon S02 is not the highest resolution Small Sensor camera. Kodak Astro Zoom AZ651 with its 21.0MP sensor is leading in this class. Check the comparison of Nikon S02 vs Kodak Astro Zoom AZ651 or take a look at Highest resolution Compact cameras list.

    Let's look at how the size of the Nikon S02's 1/3-inch sensor compares with other standard sensor sizes.

    Nikon S02 Sensor Size Comparison
    Comparison image of Nikon S02 Sensor Size with other standard sensors

    Nikon S02 Lens

    Nikon S02 features a 30-90 mm F3.3-5.9 3× zoom lens. With a focal length of only 30mm on the wide end, it offers very limited wide angle capability . However, 90mm on the tele end means that the medium telephoto angle is well covered, only lacking the reach for wildlife and sports.

    Wide Coverage

    Compact Cameras

    S02
    Widest - Ricoh WG-M1
    Average
    Telezoom

    Compact Cameras

    S02
    Longest - Canon SX520 HS
    Average

    With a max aperture of f3.30 at 30mm, we can not consider this lens fast on wide end, and it is slow at the tele end with its max aperture of f5.90.

    Max Aperture at Wide

    Compact Cameras

    S02
    Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
    Average
    Max Aperture at Tele

    Compact Cameras

    S02
    Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
    Average

    S02 is also equipped with Digital only image stabilization system which is very handy especially at lower shutter speeds.



    Nikon S02 LCD

    Nikon S02 has a Fixed Type 2.7" LCD screen with a resolution of 230k dots. At only 2.7", the screen is on the smaller side and 230kdot resolution is lower than most of the recent models in this class.

    LCD is Touch screen type, so you can change the settings and set the focus point with your fingertips.

    Nikon S02 back view and LCD

    S02 doesn't have a viewfinder and no option for external viewfinder. Lack of a viewfinder can be problematic especially under strong light where visibility of LCD screens goes down dramatically. If you need a Compact camera with a built-in viewfinder in a similar price range, consider (Compare) or (Compare).
    If the price is not an issue, take a look at our Top Rated Cameras with Viewfinders.

    Nikon S02 Connectivity, Storage and Battery

    You can connect S02 to compatible devices via its HDMI port or USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) port.

    Battery

    Nikon S02 is powered by battery which provides a shooting life of 210 according to CIPA standards. Considering that the average battery life of Compact type cameras is 255 shots, Nikon S02 has a short battery life for its class so we strongly recommend S02 owners to buy some extra batteries.

    Battery Life Comparison in Ultracompact Cameras

    Nikon S02
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Nikon L32 with its 320shots is the model with longest battery life among Ultracompact cameras. Check the comparison of Nikon S02 vs Nikon L32 or take a look at Longest Battery Life Compact cameras list.

    Nikon S02 Features Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Max Video Battery Life Wi-fi Bluetooth NFC
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Nikon S01
    Compare
    1280 x 720 190shots No No No
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera FujiFilm AX350
    Compare
    1280 x 720 180shots No No No
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Fujifilm S4800
    Compare
    1280 x 720 shots No No No
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Nikon S2900
    Compare
    1280 x 720 250shots Yes No Yes
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Sony HX30V
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 320shots Yes No No
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Canon ELPH 180
    Compare
    1280 x 720 220shots No No No
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Sony A3000
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 470shots No No No
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Camera Samsung NX1
    Compare
    4096 x 2160 500shots Yes Yes Yes

    Nikon S02 Video Features

    With Nikon S02, you can record your videos at a highest resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps and save in and MPEG-4 formats. Full HD resolution of Nikon S02 will be adequate in most of the situations. But if you are after the highest resolution videos available, see our list of Top Cameras with 4K (Ultra-HD) Video.

    S02 has a built-in Stereo microphone and a Mono speaker.
    Nikon S02 doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones. If you need a Compact camera with external microphone connectivity, consider or in a similar price range.

    Nikon S02 Other Features

    Max Shutter speed

    Nikon S02 can shoot continuously at max speed of Unknown and has max shutter speed of .

    Flash

    Unfortunately S02 doesn't have an external flash shoe so you are limited with the built-in flash.

    Focusing

    Nikon S02 features a Contrast Detection autofocusing system.

    Nikon S02 also features Face detection AF where it intelligently detects the faces in the frame and locks the focus automatically.

    Nikon S02 PROs and CONs Review

    Now let's get in to more details of our Nikon S02 review by analysing its specs and features and listing out its pros and cons compared to average competitor cameras in its class.

    PROs
    Image Stabilization
    Full HD Video
    Touch Screen
    Face Detection Focusing
    100g Light Body
    Report a correction

    Buy Nikon S02 from AMAZON or B&H PHOTO


    CONs
    No Wireless Connection
    No Articulating Screen
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No RAW Shooting
    Low Resolution Sensor: 13.0MP
    Max Sensitivity only ISO 1.600
    Only Unknown Focus Points
    Small LCD Screen ( 2.7")
    Low Screen Resolution ( 230kdots )
    1/s Low Max Shutter Speed
    Low Battery Life: 210 shots
    No Manual Focusing
    No Manual Exposure
    No Environmental Sealing
    30 mm - Poor Wide Angle Coverage
    90 mm - Poor Telezoom Coverage
    Optical Zoom only 3.0X
    Slow Lens at Wide: f3.30
    Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
    Report a correction
    What type of Photography is Nikon S02 Good for?
    In this section, we review and score Nikon S02 in 5 different photography areas.

    Nikon S02 for Portrait Photography

    Nikon S02 has a score of 16 for Portrait Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Portrait We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Portrait Photography list and consider these alternatives over theS02.
    Image Stabilization
    Average Resolution Sensor: 13.0MP
    Small 1/3" (4.8 x 3.6 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S02 for Portrait Photography

    Nikon S02 for Street Photography

    Nikon S02 has a score of 36 for Street Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Street We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Street Photography list and consider these alternatives over theS02.
    Live-view
    Face-Detection Focusing
    Image Stabilization
    Small Body
    30 mm - Not so Good Wide Angle Coverage
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/3" (4.8 x 3.6 mm) sensor

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S02 for Street Photography

    Nikon S02 for Sports Photography

    Nikon S02 has a score of 13 for Sports Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Sports We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Sports Photography list and consider these alternatives over theS02.
    Image Stabilization
    Environmental Sealings
    Slow Max shutter speed: 1/s
    Unknown Focus Points
    Poor Battery Life: 210 shots
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No External Flash Shoe
    90 mm Tele Lens
    Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S02 for Sports Photography

    Nikon S02 for Daily Photography

    Nikon S02 has a score of 47 for Daily Photography which makes it an AVERAGE candidate for this type of photography. If Daily is important for you, we recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Daily Photography list.
    Compact Body
    100g
    Body Thickness 18mm
    3.0X Optical Zoom
    Small 1/3" (4.8 x 3.6 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S02 for Daily Photography

    Nikon S02 for Landscape Photography

    Nikon S02 has a score of 16 for Landscape Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Landscape We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Landscape Photography list and consider these alternatives over theS02.
    30 mm - Not so Good Wide Angle Coverage
    Average Resolution Sensor: 13.0MP
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/3" (4.8 x 3.6 mm) sensor
    No Environmental Sealings

    Read the details of how we scored Nikon S02 for Landscape Photography
    Nikon S02 Alternatives
    In this section, we analyse how Nikon S02 compares with other Compact cameras within a similar price range.
    Read a more detailed analysis of Nikon S02 alternatives.

    Popular Comparisons of Nikon S02

    Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Nikon S02 amongst Camera Decision readers.

    Nikon S01
    Nikon S01
    Compare
    FujiFilm AX350
    FujiFilm AX350
    Compare
    Fujifilm S4800
    Fujifilm S4800
    Compare
    Nikon S2900
    Nikon S2900
    Compare
    Sony HX30V
    Sony HX30V
    Compare
    Canon ELPH 180
    Canon ELPH 180
    Compare
    Sony A3000
    Sony A3000
    Compare
    Samsung NX1
    Samsung NX1
    Compare

    Nikon S02 Alternatives in Cameras

    It would also be interesting to compare Nikon S02 with Cameras. Below we have listed 4 highest ranked cameras in Nikon S02's price range.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Nikon S02
    Does the Nikon S02 have Image Stabilization?
    Does the Nikon S02 have RAW support?
    Does the Nikon S02 have Weather Sealing?
    Does the Nikon S02 have built-in GPS?
    What is the Max ISO of Nikon S02?
    What is the Sensor Size of Nikon S02?
    is the Nikon S02 a Full Frame (FF) camera?
    Does the Nikon S02 have Touch Screen?
    Does the Nikon S02 have built-in Wireless?
    What is the Max Continuous Shooting Speed (fps) of Nikon S02?
    What is the Weight of Nikon S02?
    What are the Dimensions of Nikon S02?
    Nikon Coolpix S02 Detailed Specifications

    General
    Brand Nikon
    Model Nikon Coolpix S02
    Announced 2013-09-05
    Body Type Ultracompact
    Lens
    Manual Focus
    Lens Mount fixed lens
    Lens Focal Range 30-90 mm (3×)
    Max Aperture F3.3-5.9
    Macro Focus Range 5cm
    Screen
    Screen Type Fixed Type
    Screen Technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
    Screen Size 2.7"
    Screen Resolution 230k dots
    Live View
    Touch Screen
    Viewfinder
    Viewfinder None
    Viewfinder Resolution no electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Coverage n/a
    Viewfinder Magnification n/a
    Photography Features
    Min Shutter Speed n/a
    Max Mechanical Shutter Speed n/a
    Continuous Shooting n/a
    Shutter Priority
    Aperture Priority
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Exposure Compensation n/a
    Custom White Balance
    Image Stabilization
    Built-in Flash
    Flash Range 1.40 m
    Flash Modes n/a
    External Flash
    AE Bracketing
    WB Bracketing
    Exposure Modes
    Multi-Segment
    Average
    Spot
    Partial
    AF-Area
    Center Weighted
    DxO Sensor Scores
    DxO Overall Score not tested
    DxO Color Depth not tested
    DxO Dynamic Range not tested
    DxO Low Light ISO not tested
    Report a correction

    Sensor
    Sensor Type CMOS
    Sensor Size 1/3-inch
    Sensor Dimensions 4.8 x 3.6 mm
    Sensor Area 17.28mm2
    Sensor Resolution 13 megapixels
    Max Image Resolution 4160 x 3120
    Max Native ISO 1,600
    Min Native ISO 125
    RAW Support
    Autofocus
    AF Touch
    AF Continuous
    AF Single
    AF Tracking
    AF Selective
    AF Center
    AF Multi Area
    AF Live View
    AF Face Detection
    AF Contrast Detection
    AF Phase Detection
    Number of Focus Points Unknown
    Number of Cross Focus Points 0
    Video Features
    Video Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps); High-speed: 1920 x 1080 (15 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps)
    Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080
    Video Formats MPEG-4
    Microphone Port
    Headphone Port
    Connectivity
    Wireless Connectivity None
    HDMI
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    Physical
    Environmental Sealing
    Water Proof
    Dust Proof
    Shock Proof
    Crush Proof
    Freeze Proof
    Weight 100g
    Physical Dimensions 77 x 51 x 18mm
    Battery Life 210 shots
    Battery Type Battery Pack
    Battery Model Built-in
    Other Features
    Self Timer Yes
    Timelapse Recording
    GPS None
    Storage Slots 0


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