Nikon Coolpix S8000 vs Pentax WG-3

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon Coolpix S8000 and the Pentax WG-3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon Coolpix S8000 was introduced in June 2010 and Pentax WG-3 was introduced in July 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix S8000 over Pentax WG-3.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax WG-3 over Nikon Coolpix S8000.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon Coolpix S8000 and Pentax WG-3 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 921k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively.

Nikon Coolpix S8000 features a 14.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Pentax WG-3 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 125 - 6,400.

Pentax WG-3 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Nikon Coolpix S8000 is equipped with Expeed C2 processor and can take pictures up to 4320 x 3240 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4224 x 2376, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax WG-3 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4288 x 3216, 4224 x 2376, 3216 x 3216, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 1728, 2592 x 1944, 2592 x 1464, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon Coolpix S8000 has an HDMI and Pentax WG-3 has a Type D Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon Coolpix S8000 comes with EN-EL12 battery pack and Pentax WG-3 comes with D-LI92 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon Coolpix S8000 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Pentax WG-3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Nikon Coolpix S8000, and up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax WG-3. Nikon Coolpix S8000 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Pentax WG-3 can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 3.40 m on Pentax WG-3..

Nikon Coolpix S8000 body has dimensions of 103 x 57 x 27 mm (4.06 x 2.24 x 1.06") and Pentax WG-3 body has dimensions of 124 x 64 x 33 mm (4.88 x 2.52 x 1.3"). Nikon Coolpix S8000 weighs 183 g (0.40 lb / 6.46 oz) and Pentax WG-3 weighs 230 g (0.51 lb / 8.11 oz).

Nikon Coolpix S8000

Pentax WG-3

103 mm

57 mm

124 mm

64 mm