• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 675.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Nikon L820

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 470g
    Lighter weight

Nikon L820 advantages over Pentax W30

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    13 years vs 19 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 115k 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
    16.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Nikon L820

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-810UZ

Pentax W30
Olympus SP-810UZ
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Olympus SP-810UZ

Nikon L820
Olympus SP-810UZ
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Nikon L820 vs Olympus SP-810UZ

Compared to Nikon L810

Pentax W30
Nikon L810
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon L810

Nikon L820
Nikon L810
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out

Compare Nikon L820 vs Nikon L810

Compared to Panasonic LZ30

Pentax W30
Panasonic LZ30
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Panasonic LZ30

Nikon L820
Panasonic LZ30
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon L820 vs Panasonic LZ30

Compared to Samsung WB100

Pentax W30
Samsung WB100
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Samsung WB100

Nikon L820
Samsung WB100
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon L820 vs Samsung WB100

Compared to Fujifilm S8600

Pentax W30
Fujifilm S8600
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Fujifilm S8600

Nikon L820
Fujifilm S8600
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon L820 vs Fujifilm S8600

Compare Other Cameras?