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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon S9500
  • Replacement is Nikon S9900
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
  • Launched July 2013
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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Nikon S9700 versus Pentax WG-3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S9700 was brought out 7 months later than the WG-3 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the S9700 grades vs the WG-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Pentax WG-3

 S9700 WG-3 
LaunchedFebruary 2014July 2013Fresher by 7 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Nikon S9700

 WG-3 S9700 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Pentax WG-3

 S9700 WG-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S9700 has got outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9700 versus Pentax WG-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the S9700 vs the WG-3.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S9700 and WG-3 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9700 and WG-3.

All in all, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution and you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you should always consider the age of the cameras into account. The newer S9700 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
37
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
41
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 Street photography info
Pentax WG-3 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (232g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9700 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography details
53
excellent zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography details
69
lighter than competitors (232 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
72
environment proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9700 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography advice
45
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
54
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (232g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Pentax WG-3
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Pentax WG-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S9700 Pentax WG-3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2014-02-07 2013-07-19
Physical type 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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-750mm (30.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.40 m
Flash options TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 232 gr (0.51 pounds) 230 gr (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 300 photographs 240 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $350 $300