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Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS 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
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon AW110
  • Updated by Nikon AW130
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Introduced August 2011
Photography Glossary

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, both Waterproof cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was revealed 2 years after the WG-1 GPS which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the AW120 scores against the WG-1 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 AW120 WG-1 GPS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014August 2011Newer by 31 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Nikon AW120

 WG-1 GPS AW120 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 AW120 WG-1 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon AW120 features outer measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 GPS has sizing of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the AW120 compared to the WG-1 GPS.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and WG-1 GPS is 92 and 93 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The picture here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and WG-1 GPS.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon AW120 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent AW120 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography details
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
54
weather proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography details
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
great battery life (350 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
good megapixels (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
69
great battery life (350 shots)
environment proof
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
weather proofing
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography information
48
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment proof
great battery life (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
42
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging advice
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone port
25
quite wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Category Waterproof Waterproof
Revealed 2014-02-07 2011-08-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology OLED monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213g (0.47 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" 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 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $350