Nikon 1 S1 vs Nikon D3200

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon 1 S1 and the Nikon D3200, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon 1 S1 was introduced in June 2013 and Nikon D3200 was introduced in July 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon 1 S1 over Nikon D3200.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3200 over Nikon 1 S1.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon 1 S1 and Nikon D3200 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 921k dot resolutions respectively.

Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon 1 S1.

Nikon 1 S1 features a 10.1 megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 116.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800. Nikon D3200 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 237.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon 1 S1 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3840 x 2160, 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Nikon D3200 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4512 x 3000, 3008 x 2000 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Nikon 1 S1 has Nikon 1 lens mount and Nikon D3200 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to 1-inch sensor in Nikon 1 S1 its crop factor is equal to 2.7x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.7. Due to APS-C sensor in Nikon D3200 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon 1 S1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3200 nothing can be done. On Nikon D3200 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon 1 S1 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon 1 S1 has a Type C HDMI and Nikon D3200 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon 1 S1 comes with EN-EL20 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots and Nikon D3200 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 540 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon 1 S1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon D3200 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Nikon 1 S1 has Electronic shutter. Nikon D3200 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter on Nikon 1 S1, and up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3200. Nikon 1 S1 can shoot continuously up to 15.0 fps. Nikon D3200 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon 1 S1 has Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
AF-assist illuminator system with 135 focusing points and Nikon D3200 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D3200 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3200 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 range on Nikon 1 S1 and ±5 EV range on Nikon D3200. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on both models.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 5.00 m on Nikon 1 S1 and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3200. Nikon D3200 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/60 sec on Nikon 1 S1 and 1/200 sec on Nikon D3200.

Nikon 1 S1 body has dimensions of 102 x 61 x 30 mm (4.02 x 2.4 x 1.18") and Nikon D3200 body has dimensions of 125 x 96 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.78 x 3.03"). Nikon 1 S1 weighs 197 g (0.43 lb / 6.95 oz) and Nikon D3200 weighs 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz).

Nikon 1 S1

Nikon D3200

102 mm

61 mm

125 mm

96 mm

61 mm

96 mm