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Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Nikon S100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
  • Revealed August 2011
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
  • Launched July 2013
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Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the S100 (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is pretty close and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S100 was released 23 months before the WG-3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the S100 grades vs the WG-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Pentax WG-3

 S100 WG-3 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution820k460kSharper screen (+360k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Nikon S100

 WG-3 S100 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2011More recent by 23 months

Common features in the Nikon S100 and Pentax WG-3

 S100 WG-3 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S100 has physical measurements of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 has measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Check the Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the S100 vs the WG-3.

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S100 and WG-3 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The visual underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S100 and WG-3.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs though you would want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older S100 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S100 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
40
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
41
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S100 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S100
Sports photography with Pentax WG-3
38
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (150 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S100 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Travel photography camera
65
boasts focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (150 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
72
weather proof
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
45
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery pack (150 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
54
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S100
Vlogging with Pentax WG-3
35
rather wide (28mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
36
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
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Nikon S100 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S100 and Pentax WG-3
 Nikon Coolpix S100Pentax WG-3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S100 Pentax WG-3
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2011-08-24 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 820k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Organic LED monitor Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lb) 230 grams (0.51 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 150 photos 240 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $240 $300