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Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Replaced the Nikon AW110
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2, both Waterproof cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was revealed 2 years after the WG-2 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the AW120 scores against the WG-2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Pentax WG-2

 AW120 WG-2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014February 2012Newer by 25 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Nikon AW120

 WG-2 AW120 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-2

 AW120 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon AW120 has got 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) whilst the Pentax WG-2 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Compare the Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the AW120 and the WG-2.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and WG-2 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The pic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the AW120 and WG-2.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of images although you need to take the production date of the cameras into account. The fresher AW120 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography features
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography features
Pentax WG-2 Street photography features
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography features
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery life (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
38
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
69
great battery life (350 CIPA)
weather proof
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography factors
48
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
weather proof
great battery life (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
47
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging factors
33
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
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Nikon AW120 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Pentax WG-2
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Pentax Optio WG-2
Class Waterproof Waterproof
Revealed 2014-02-07 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
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)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech OLED monitor Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 5.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213 grams (0.47 lb) 192 grams (0.42 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $350 $350