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Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 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-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released February 2012
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Nikon L21 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L21 was manufactured 24 months before the WG-2 GPS making them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the L21 grades versus the WG-2 GPS for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 L21 WG-2 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Nikon L21

 WG-2 GPS L21 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2010More modern by 24 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 L21 WG-2 GPS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 offers exterior dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 GPS has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L21 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the L21 against the WG-2 GPS.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and WG-2 GPS is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by checking specs. The picture underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and WG-2 GPS.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-2 GPS to give greater detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography factors
18
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
39
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Street photography camera
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Sports photography camera
15
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
37
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (8MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
environment proof
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography details
21
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proof
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging advice
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic support
30
decently wide (28mm)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2010-02-03 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 lbs) 198g (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $180 $300