Clicky

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Released February 2010
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
  • Released August 2011
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and WG-1 GPS (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The L21 was announced 18 months earlier than the WG-1 GPS which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the L21 grades against the WG-1 GPS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 L21 WG-1 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Nikon L21

 WG-1 GPS L21 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2010More recent by 18 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 L21 WG-1 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L21 enjoys outer measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 GPS has specifications of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the L21 vs the WG-1 GPS.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and WG-1 GPS is 93 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and WG-1 GPS.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax WG-1 GPS to offer extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older L21 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography factors
18
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
34
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Street photography camera
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography features
15
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography information
50
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
weather proof
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography factors
21
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
41
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
resolution is good (14MP)
weather proof
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging information
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2010-02-03 2011-08-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $180 $350