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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Released June 2013
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Photography Glossary

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon S31 versus Pentax WG-2, both Waterproof cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and WG-2 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The S31 was introduced 17 months after the WG-2 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the S31 grades versus the WG-2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Pentax WG-2

 S31 WG-2 
IntroducedJune 2013February 2012More modern by 17 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Nikon S31

 WG-2 S31 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-2

 S31 WG-2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S31 offers exterior dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Nikon S31 versus Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the S31 versus the WG-2.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S31 and WG-2 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The pic here might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S31 and WG-2.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S31 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax WG-2 will render greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher S31 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography info
20
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.9")
no RAW support
40
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 Street photography information
Pentax WG-2 Street photography information
52
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.9")
no RAW support
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography highlights
25
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.9")
no phase detect auto focus
38
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Travel photography camera
59
weather proofing
built-in flash
fast max aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
70
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography features
30
fast max aperture (f)
weather proofing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.9")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
47
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
24
fast max aperture (f)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
30
really wide (28mm)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-2
 Nikon Coolpix S31Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S31 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Waterproof Waterproof
Released 2013-06-21 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 18.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 7.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 185g (0.41 pounds) 192g (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 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 shots 260 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $90 $350