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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 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
  • Introduced June 2013
Pentax WG-3 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released July 2013
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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-3 GPS, both Waterproof digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

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The S31 was introduced around the same time to the WG-3 GPS and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the S31 matches up versus the WG-3 GPS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 S31 WG-3 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Nikon S31

 WG-3 GPS S31 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 S31 WG-3 GPS 
ReleasedJune 2013July 2013Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon S31 enjoys outer measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 GPS has proportions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-3 GPS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the S31 vs the WG-3 GPS.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S31 and WG-3 GPS is 90 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The visual here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S31 and WG-3 GPS.

All in all, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S31 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax WG-3 GPS will offer more detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively.

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lack of RAW files
40
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography highlights
52
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lack of RAW files
58
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than average in class (238g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Sports photography camera
24
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lack of phase detect AF
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography highlights
59
environment proofing
has built in flash
great max aperture (f)
no Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
68
weather proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery life (240 shots)
heavier than average in class (238g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
30
great max aperture (f)
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse function
53
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
24
great max aperture (f)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
34
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
heavier than average in class (238 grams)
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Nikon S31 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Nikon Coolpix S31Pentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S31 Pentax WG-3 GPS
Class Waterproof Waterproof
Introduced 2013-06-21 2013-07-19
Physical type 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Crop factor 7.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lb) 238 gr (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 pictures 240 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $90 $350