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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Launched April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Waterproof and they are both sold by Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and WG-2 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The K-3 was launched 2 years after the WG-2 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-3 matches up vs the WG-2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax WG-2

 K-3 WG-2 
AnnouncedApril 2014February 2012Newer by 27 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Pentax K-3

 WG-2 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax WG-2

 K-3 WG-2 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 has 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) and the Pentax WG-2 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the K-3 and the WG-2.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and WG-2 is 59 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The picture underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and WG-2.

Plainly, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-3 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax K-3 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The newer K-3 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography factors
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
40
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Street photography advice
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
54
weather sealing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography factors
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery power (560 CIPA)
38
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
60
environment proof
MP count good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
bad battery power (560 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
70
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography info
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
bad battery power (560 per charge)
47
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external mic socket
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax WG-2
 Pentax K-3Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Launched 2014-04-10 2012-02-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 24MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 27 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.40 m
Flash settings 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
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 192 gr (0.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 260 shots
Style 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
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Cost at release $639 $350