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Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon AW110
  • Later Model is Nikon AW130
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2011
Photography Glossary

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Nikon AW120 versus Pentax WG-1, both Waterproof cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was brought out 3 years later than the WG-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a concise overview of how the AW120 matches up versus the WG-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Pentax WG-1

 AW120 WG-1 
LaunchedFebruary 2014February 2011Fresher by 37 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Nikon AW120

 WG-1 AW120 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-1

 AW120 WG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW120 has exterior dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Nikon AW120 versus Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the AW120 and the WG-1.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and WG-1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The visual here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the AW120 and WG-1.

Plainly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon AW120 to produce greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more recent AW120 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW120
Street photography with Pentax WG-1
62
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW120
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
51
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery (350 shots)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
37
MP count good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
69
better than average battery (350 per charge)
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
environment sealing
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography highlights
48
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
42
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
33
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-1
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Waterproof Waterproof
Introduced 2014-02-07 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech OLED monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213g (0.47 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 260 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $350