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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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-3
(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
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2013
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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Let's look closer at the Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was announced 6 months prior to the WG-3 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the S6500 scores vs the WG-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Pentax WG-3

 S6500 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Nikon S6500

 WG-3 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Pentax WG-3

 S6500 WG-3 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2013Similar generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S6500 offers external dimensions of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 has proportions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the S6500 against the WG-3.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S6500 and WG-3 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specifications. The picture below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the S6500 and WG-3.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you really should consider the release date of the products into consideration.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography factors
43
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detection focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography details
69
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
72
environment sealing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography information
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse function
54
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery power (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
36
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Pentax WG-3
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Pentax WG-3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S6500 Pentax WG-3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-01-08 2013-07-19
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology AMOLED display Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lb) 230 gr (0.51 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 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 - 240 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Cost at launch $170 $300