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Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Launched September 2010
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
  • Launched February 2012
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Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon S8100 versus Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the S8100 (12MP) and WG-2 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S8100 was manufactured 17 months earlier than the WG-2 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the S8100 scores versus the WG-2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Pentax WG-2

 S8100 WG-2 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Nikon S8100

 WG-2 S8100 
LaunchedFebruary 2012September 2010Fresher by 17 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Pentax WG-2

 S8100 WG-2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S8100 offers outer measurements of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S8100 versus Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the S8100 and the WG-2.

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S8100 and WG-2 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The photograph below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S8100 and WG-2.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax WG-2 to give you more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively. The older S8100 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8100 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography advice
26
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
40
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S8100
Street photography with Pentax WG-2
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 Sports photography information
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography information
38
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
38
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8100 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography features
55
has built in flash
great zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
70
environment proof
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
47
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
environment proof
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging advice
30
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no external mic port
30
quite wide (28mm)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone jack
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Nikon S8100 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Pentax WG-2
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S8100 Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2010-09-08 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-300mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 format 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 pounds) 192 grams (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 shots 260 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $299 $350