Clicky

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax WG-10 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 Key Specs

Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2010
Pentax WG-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released June 2013
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 Overview

Below is a comprehensive review of the Nikon L21 versus Pentax WG-10, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and WG-10 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The L21 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the WG-10 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the L21 matches up vs the WG-10 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax WG-10

 L21 WG-10 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-10 over the Nikon L21

 WG-10 L21 
ReleasedJune 2013February 2010More recent by 41 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-10

 L21 WG-10 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 enjoys exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Pentax WG-10 has dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L21 versus Pentax WG-10 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the L21 and the WG-10.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and WG-10 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out specifications. The visual underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and WG-10.

To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-10 to show extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively. The older L21 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-10 Portrait photography advice
18
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
39
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-10 Street photography highlights
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-10 Sports photography advice
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
44
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
slow frames per second (0.7 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-10 Travel photography features
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
MP count low (8MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
weather proof
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-10
21
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-10 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
30
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WG-10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax WG-10
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax WG-10
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax WG-10
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2010-02-03 2013-06-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 megapixel 14 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
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support 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
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 0.7 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 1.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 gr (0.37 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical 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 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 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $180 $0