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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs

Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Announced January 2012
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
Photography Glossary

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof and they are both produced by Pentax. The resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the WG-3 GPS (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was announced 18 months earlier than the WG-3 GPS which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the VS20 matches up vs the WG-3 GPS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 VS20 WG-3 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Pentax VS20

 WG-3 GPS VS20 
RevealedJuly 2013January 2012More modern by 18 months

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 VS20 WG-3 GPS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax VS20 offers outer measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 GPS has measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the VS20 compared to the WG-3 GPS.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and WG-3 GPS is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking specifications. The image underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and WG-3 GPS.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of photographs but you really should consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged VS20 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
36
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
41
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than others (238g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography advice
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
69
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (240 shots)
heavier than others (238 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
47
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
54
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery power (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than others (238 grams)
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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Pentax Optio VS20Pentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Pentax WG-3 GPS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2012-01-25 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.80 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 235 gr (0.52 lbs) 238 gr (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 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 - 240 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI122 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $106 $350