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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Launched January 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
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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Nikon S6500 and Pentax WG-2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was announced 12 months after the WG-2 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the S6500 grades against the WG-2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Pentax WG-2

 S6500 WG-2 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2012Newer by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Nikon S6500

 WG-2 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Pentax WG-2

 S6500 WG-2 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon S6500 provides outside measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S6500 and Pentax WG-2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the S6500 compared to the WG-2.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S6500 and WG-2 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S6500 and WG-2.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you have to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more recent S6500 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
43
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
39
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography features
Pentax WG-2 Street photography features
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S6500
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2
49
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
37
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S6500
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
69
lighter than competition in class (250g)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography highlights
49
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
47
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
30
rather wide (28mm)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Pentax WG-2
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S6500 Pentax Optio WG-2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-01-08 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology AMOLED display Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 192 gr (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 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
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $170 $350