• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S9500 advantages over Pentax WG-3 GPS

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    550 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.5 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax WG-3 GPS advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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 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

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Buy the Nikon S9500

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Buy the 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX10V

Nikon S9500
Sony HX10V
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sony HX10V
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS30
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax WG-3 GPS
Panasonic ZS30
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Pentax WG-3 GPS
Panasonic ZS25
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Nikon S9500
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compared to Ricoh WG-4

Nikon S9500
Ricoh WG-4
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
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
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