Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS
66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
- Released January 2013
- Superseded the Nikon P510
- Refreshed by Nikon P530
(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
- Launched August 2011

Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview
Following is a extended review of the Nikon P520 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and WG-1 GPS (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The P520 was introduced 18 months after the WG-1 GPS which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.
Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the P520 matches up vs the WG-1 GPS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix P520 and Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS. The whole galleries are available at Nikon P520 Gallery and Pentax WG-1 GPS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS
P520 | WG-1 GPS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | More modern by 18 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Nikon P520
WG-1 GPS | P520 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon P520 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
P520 | WG-1 GPS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon P520 enjoys outer measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 GPS has sizing of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Nikon P520 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the P520 and the WG-1 GPS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the P520 and WG-1 GPS is 66 and 93 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the P520 and WG-1 GPS.
Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Nikon P520 to show extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher P520 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P520 | Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon Coolpix P520 | Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Released | 2013-01-29 | 2011-08-16 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Max resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1000mm (41.7x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.2 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | - | 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 | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 550 grams (1.21 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") | 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 200 images | 260 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL5 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $380 | $350 |