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Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Casio EX-Z280
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
  • Announced August 2009
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Casio and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the EX-Z280 (12MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The EX-Z280 was announced 4 years prior to the WG-3 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the EX-Z280 grades vs the WG-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Pentax WG-3

 EX-Z280 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Casio EX-Z280

 WG-3 EX-Z280 
AnnouncedJuly 2013August 2009More modern by 47 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k115kClearer screen (+345k dot)

Common features in the Casio EX-Z280 and Pentax WG-3

 EX-Z280 WG-3 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Casio EX-Z280 provides external measurements of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 has specifications of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Check out the Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the EX-Z280 versus the WG-3.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the EX-Z280 and WG-3 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The pic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the EX-Z280 and WG-3.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax WG-3 to deliver greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged EX-Z280 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography highlights
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
41
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Street photography details
Pentax WG-3 Street photography details
55
lighter than others in class (133 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Sports photography camera
17
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
has tracking focus
weather proof
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Casio EX-Z280
Travel photography with Pentax WG-3
62
lighter than others in class (133g)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
72
weather proof
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography advice
32
has manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
54
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery pack (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Casio EX-Z280
Vlogging with Pentax WG-3
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
lighter than others in class (133g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
36
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
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Casio EX-Z280 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-Z280 and Pentax WG-3
 Casio Exilim EX-Z280Pentax WG-3
General Information
Brand Casio Pentax
Model type Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Pentax WG-3
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2009-08-31 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-104mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 115k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.20 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133g (0.29 lb) 230g (0.51 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 240 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-80 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Triple) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $180 $300