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Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS 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
  • Revealed February 2010
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
  • Launched July 2013
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Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Pentax W90 and Pentax WG-3 GPS, both Waterproof digital cameras and they are both built by Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and WG-3 GPS (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The W90 was announced 4 years earlier than the WG-3 GPS and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the W90 matches up vs the WG-3 GPS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 W90 WG-3 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Pentax W90

 WG-3 GPS W90 
LaunchedJuly 2013February 2010More recent by 41 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 W90 WG-3 GPS 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax W90 features outer measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 GPS has specifications 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 W90 and Pentax WG-3 GPS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the W90 versus the WG-3 GPS.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W90 and WG-3 GPS is 94 and 90 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The visual below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the W90 and WG-3 GPS.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax WG-3 GPS to offer you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The older W90 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax W90
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
41
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax W90
Street photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than average in class (238 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax W90
Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
24
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography details
64
weather sealing
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
69
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 shots)
heavier than average in class (238g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography info
37
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
54
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery power (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
34
pretty wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
heavier than average in class (238 grams)
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Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Pentax Optio W90Pentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio W90 Pentax WG-3 GPS
Category Waterproof Waterproof
Revealed 2010-02-24 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12MP 16MP
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 images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
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)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164g (0.36 lbs) 238g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 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 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $120 $350