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Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Refreshed by Nikon AW110
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon AW100 versus Pentax WG-3, both Waterproof digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was manufactured 23 months earlier than the WG-3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the AW100 grades against the WG-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Pentax WG-3

 AW100 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Nikon AW100

 WG-3 AW100 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2011More recent by 23 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Pentax WG-3

 AW100 WG-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon AW100 enjoys exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 has sizing of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Compare the Nikon AW100 versus Pentax WG-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the AW100 versus the WG-3.

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and WG-3 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specifications. The photograph underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and WG-3.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of images however you should really consider the age of the products into consideration. The older AW100 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography features
29
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
40
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Street photography advice
54
weather proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography highlights
33
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography highlights
67
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
72
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
41
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
53
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather sealing
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging features
29
relatively wide (28mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no microphone port
36
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Nikon AW100 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Pentax WG-3
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Pentax WG-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW100 Pentax WG-3
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Launched 2011-08-24 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lbs) 230 gr (0.51 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 240 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $299 $300