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Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs

Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released August 2010
Pentax WG-3 GPS
(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
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2013
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Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the S5100 (12MP) and WG-3 GPS (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S5100 was announced 3 years before the WG-3 GPS and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the S5100 grades against the WG-3 GPS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 S5100 WG-3 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Nikon S5100

 WG-3 GPS S5100 
IntroducedJuly 2013August 2010More recent by 35 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 S5100 WG-3 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon S5100 has outer dimensions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and 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).

Look at the Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the S5100 versus the WG-3 GPS.

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the S5100 and WG-3 GPS is 95 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5100 and WG-3 GPS.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax WG-3 GPS to result in more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older S5100 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5100 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography details
20
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
40
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (132 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
58
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (238 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competitors in class (132 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
68
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
more heavy than competitors in class (238 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
53
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5100 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (132g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
34
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (238g)
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Nikon S5100 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Pentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S5100 Pentax WG-3 GPS
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2010-08-17 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-6.6 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 lb) 238g (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 240 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL10 D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $200 $350