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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed March 2011
Pentax WG-3 GPS
(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
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2013
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax WG-3 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the WG-3 GPS (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was launched 3 years earlier than the WG-3 GPS which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SZ-30MR scores against the WG-3 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 SZ-30MR WG-3 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 WG-3 GPS SZ-30MR 
RevealedJuly 2013March 2011Newer by 29 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 SZ-30MR WG-3 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 GPS has sizing of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax WG-3 GPS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-30MR vs the WG-3 GPS.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and WG-3 GPS is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and WG-3 GPS.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP so you should expect similar quality of images though you would want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
41
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography information
Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than others in class (238g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography factors
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
environment sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery (240 shots)
more heavy than others in class (238g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography factors
41
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
54
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging features
Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (238 grams)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Olympus SZ-30MRPentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Pentax WG-3 GPS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2011-03-02 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 238 grams (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 240 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $279 $350