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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

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

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS 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
  • Announced June 2013
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
  • Launched February 2012
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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-2 GPS, both Waterproof digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and WG-2 GPS (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The S31 was announced 17 months after the WG-2 GPS making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the S31 scores versus the WG-2 GPS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

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

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Nikon S31

 WG-2 GPS S31 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 S31 WG-2 GPS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon S31 comes with physical measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 GPS has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-2 GPS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the S31 compared to the WG-2 GPS.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S31 and WG-2 GPS is 90 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S31 and WG-2 GPS.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S31 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax WG-2 GPS will offer you greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer S31 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of RAW files
40
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Street photography camera
52
weather proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of RAW files
54
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography highlights
25
weather proof
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of phase detect autofocus
38
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Travel photography camera
59
weather proof
has built in flash
good max aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
70
environment proof
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography information
30
good max aperture (f)
weather proof
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.9")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging info
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging info
24
good max aperture (f)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Nikon Coolpix S31Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S31 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Announced 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 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 7.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 pounds) 198 gr (0.44 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 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 260 shots 260 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $90 $300