• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 580.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon AW100 advantages over Pentax X-5

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 106 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    177g vs 623g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.51 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax X-5 advantages over Nikon AW100

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.1 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    580 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    22 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Nice design; Good shutter button; High resolution; Good shot-to-shot time; Includes GPS maps.

  • Buttons are hard to press; Corners are soft; Flash overwhelms close up; Frustrating controls; Worse than average print quality.

  • Impressive 26x optical zoom lens delivers crisp images, even when at full tele; Comfortable, ergonomic camera build feels higher-end than its low price point suggests; Lots of effective, automated features make picture-taking a fun experience for the beginner.

  • DSLR-style camera body might attract enthusiasts who will be disappointed in the X-5's consumer focus; Frustratingly slow to use all around; AA batteries can fall out when retrieving the SD card; Some design quirks are off-putting.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Nikon AW100
Olympus TG-610
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Pentax X-5
Olympus TG-610
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Nikon S1200pj

Nikon AW100
Nikon S1200pj
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $430
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
Pentax X-5
Nikon S1200pj
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $430
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Fujifilm S4200

Nikon AW100
Fujifilm S4200
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
  • $192
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax X-5
Fujifilm S4200
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $192
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Fujifilm XP50

Nikon AW100
Fujifilm XP50
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Pentax X-5
Fujifilm XP50
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Fujifilm S6800

Nikon AW100
Fujifilm S6800
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
  • $169
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Pentax X-5
Fujifilm S6800
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $169
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
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