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Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Replaced the Nikon L110
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
  • Released July 2013
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Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon L120 and Pentax WG-3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L120 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the WG-3 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the L120 scores versus the WG-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Pentax WG-3

 L120 WG-3 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Nikon L120

 WG-3 L120 
ReleasedJuly 2013February 2011Fresher by 29 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Pentax WG-3

 L120 WG-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon L120 comes with physical dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 has specifications of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L120 and Pentax WG-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the L120 compared to the WG-3.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L120 and WG-3 is 75 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the L120 and WG-3.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Pentax WG-3 to give more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older L120 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
41
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography information
Pentax WG-3 Street photography information
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography factors
43
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L120
Travel photography with Pentax WG-3
60
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography highlights
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
54
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging info
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging info
27
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
36
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Nikon L120 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Pentax WG-3
 Nikon Coolpix L120Pentax WG-3
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L120 Pentax WG-3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2011-02-09 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 431g (0.95 lbs) 230g (0.51 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 330 images 240 images
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $300 $300