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Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3, both Waterproof cameras and both are produced by Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The W90 was launched 4 years earlier than the WG-3 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the W90 grades against the WG-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Pentax WG-3

 W90 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Pentax W90

 WG-3 W90 
AnnouncedJuly 2013February 2010Newer by 41 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Pentax WG-3

 W90 WG-3 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax W90 offers outside dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 has sizing of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Examine the Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the W90 vs the WG-3.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W90 and WG-3 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W90 and WG-3.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax WG-3 to render more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged W90 will be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W90 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography advice
27
focusing manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
41
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax W90 Street photography details
Pentax WG-3 Street photography details
54
environment sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax W90 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography factors
24
environment sealing
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography factors
64
environment sealing
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
72
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery (240 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography advice
37
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 Vlogging details
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging details
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
36
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
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Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Pentax WG-3
 Pentax Optio W90Pentax WG-3
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio W90 Pentax WG-3
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Launched 2010-02-24 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164 grams (0.36 pounds) 230 grams (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 124 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 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $120 $300