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Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
23
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Nikon S32
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
  • Introduced February 2014
Pentax WG-3
(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
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Nikon S32 versus Pentax WG-3, both Waterproof digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the S32 (13MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is very similar but the S32 (1/3") and WG-3 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The S32 was revealed 7 months after the WG-3 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S32 grades against the WG-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Pentax WG-3

 S32 WG-3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014July 2013More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Nikon S32

 WG-3 S32 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S32 and Pentax WG-3

 S32 WG-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S32 features outer dimensions of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S32 versus Pentax WG-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S32 against the WG-3.

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S32 and WG-3 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S32 and WG-3.

As you can see, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S32 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax WG-3 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively. The newer S32 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S32 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography details
32
decent megapixels (13MP)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/3")
lack of RAW support
40
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S32 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 Street photography highlights
60
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/3")
lack of RAW support
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S32 Sports photography features
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography features
36
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (13MP)
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/3")
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S32 Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography advice
58
weather proof
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
72
weather proof
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S32
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3
34
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
weather proof
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery life (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
53
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S32 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
30
image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
36
rather wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
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Nikon S32 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S32 and Pentax WG-3
 Nikon Coolpix S32Pentax WG-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S32 Pentax WG-3
Class Waterproof Waterproof
Introduced 2014-02-07 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4160 x 3120 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-90mm (3.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 3.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 175 gr (0.39 pounds) 230 gr (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") 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 220 images 240 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL19 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $180 $300