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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax WG-1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Waterproof and they are both built by Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and WG-1 (14MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and WG-1 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-3 was introduced 3 years later than the WG-1 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-3 grades vs the WG-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 K-3 WG-1 
LaunchedApril 2014February 2011Fresher by 39 months
Display dimension3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

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

 WG-1 K-3 

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

 K-3 WG-1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 comes with external dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with 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") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-3 compared to the WG-1.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and WG-1 is 59 and 93 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The photograph below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and WG-1.

Plainly, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K-3 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Pentax K-3 will deliver extra detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent K-3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography factors
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
35
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3
Street photography with Pentax WG-1
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography features
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (560 shots)
37
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography highlights
60
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
environment proofing
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery pack (560 shots)
42
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax K-3Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Announced 2014-04-10 2011-02-07
Physical type 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 area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 27 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
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 All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Retail pricing $639 $350