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Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
79
Imaging
32
Features
28
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix L100 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Nikon L100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 360g - 110 x 72 x 78mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Updated by Nikon L110
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Nikon L100 and Pentax WG-2 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the L100 (10MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L100 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the WG-2 GPS which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the L100 matches up vs the WG-2 GPS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L100 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 L100 WG-2 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Nikon L100

 WG-2 GPS L100 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 36 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L100 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 L100 WG-2 GPS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L100 provides physical dimensions of 110mm x 72mm x 78mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 GPS has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L100 and Pentax WG-2 GPS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the L100 and the WG-2 GPS.

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L100 and WG-2 GPS is 79 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The picture here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the L100 and WG-2 GPS.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax WG-2 GPS to show more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged L100 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L100
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
25
manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
39
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L100 Street photography info
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography info
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon L100 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Sports photography camera
32
great zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L100 Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography advice
55
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (420mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L100
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
38
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
47
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L100 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging highlights
25
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic jack
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Nikon L100 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L100 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Nikon Coolpix L100Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L100 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2009-02-03 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-420mm (15.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 360 gr (0.79 lbs) 198 gr (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 72 x 78mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 3.1") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 260 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $399 $300