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Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • New Model is Nikon S9300
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed February 2011
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Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was unveiled 6 months later than the WG-1 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the S9100 scores against the WG-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Pentax WG-1

 S9100 WG-1 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Nikon S9100

 WG-1 S9100 

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Pentax WG-1

 S9100 WG-1 
RevealedJuly 2011February 2011Similar generation
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S9100 enjoys exterior measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S9100 and the WG-1.

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S9100 and WG-1 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S9100 and WG-1.

As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-1 to offer more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively.

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography information
33
has manual focus
offers face detect autofocus
no manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
35
focusing manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
36
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (270 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (270 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
environment proofing
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography information
40
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (270 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
42
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (214 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Nikon S9100 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Pentax WG-1
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S9100 Pentax Optio WG-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2011-07-19 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 270 shots 260 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $329 $350