• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax WG-3 GPS advantages over Nikon J4

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $650 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos

Nikon J4 advantages over Pentax WG-3 GPS

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.52 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J4
Nikon J4

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
  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J4, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Nikon J4 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax WG-3

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Pentax WG-3
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax WG-3

Nikon J4
Pentax WG-3
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Nikon J4 vs Pentax WG-3

Compared to 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

Nikon J4
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Nikon J4 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Compared to 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

Nikon J4
Ricoh WG-4
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Nikon J4 vs Ricoh WG-4

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Samsung NX Mini
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J4
Samsung NX Mini
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon J4 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J5

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Nikon J5
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Nikon J5

Nikon J4
Nikon J5
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon J4 vs Nikon J5

Compare Other Cameras?