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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-3
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed February 2011
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax WG-1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Waterproof and both are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and WG-1 (14MP) and the K-3 II (APS-C) and WG-1 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-3 II was brought out 4 years after the WG-1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the K-3 II scores vs the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax WG-1

 K-3 II WG-1 
RevealedApril 2015February 2011More modern by 52 months
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Pentax K-3 II

 WG-1 K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax WG-1

 K-3 II WG-1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 II enjoys physical measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax WG-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the K-3 II and the WG-1.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 II and WG-1 is 59 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and WG-1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-3 II featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-3 II will offer you more detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent K-3 II will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography factors
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
35
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography details
Pentax WG-1 Street photography details
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography info
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography info
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (720 shots)
37
good MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3 II
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
56
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
not so great battery life (720 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
environment proofing
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography information
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
not so great battery life (720 shots)
42
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good MP (14MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 II Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Released 2015-04-23 2011-02-07
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 27 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.3 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 photographs 260 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual Single
Retail cost $829 $350