• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 9.0 megapixels
  • 38.00mm - 114.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S52 advantages over Pentax WG-3 GPS

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.67 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 239g
    Lighter weight

Pentax WG-3 GPS advantages over Nikon S52

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 240 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 9.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 38 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Nikon S52

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax WG-3 GPS
Pentax WG-3 GPS

Review Excerpt

  • Eye-catching, aggressive styling; Digital Microscope mode with 6 LED ring light; Improved ruggedness; Front-panel monochrome LCD readout; Can power up via inductive charging.

  • Struggles in low-light situations despite bright f/2 max lens aperture; So-so image and video quality; User interface has steep learning curve; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Pentax WG-3 GPS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung i8

Nikon S52
Samsung i8
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $186
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Nikon S52 vs Samsung i8

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Samsung i8
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $186
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung i8

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS20

Nikon S52
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S52 vs Panasonic DMC-FS20

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Panasonic DMC-FS20

Compared to Nikon S52c

Nikon S52
Nikon S52c
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $225
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon S52 vs Nikon S52c

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Nikon S52c
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
  • $225
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Nikon S52c

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Nikon S52
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof

Compare Nikon S52 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4

Nikon S52
Ricoh WG-4
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S52 vs Ricoh WG-4

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4

Compare Other Cameras?