Pentax W90 vs Sony G3
94 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


94 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
- Released February 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
- 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
- Released January 2009

Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax W90 vs Sony G3, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the W90 (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The W90 was released 14 months later than the G3 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the W90 matches up vs the G3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio W90 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax W90 Gallery & Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony G3
W90 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2010 | ![]() | January 2009 | More recent by 14 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Pentax W90
G3 | W90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.8") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax W90 and Sony G3
W90 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax W90 features outer dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony G3 has proportions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the W90 and the G3.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the W90 and G3 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the W90 and G3.
Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax W90 to show more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent W90 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Pentax Optio W90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio W90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2010-02-24 | 2009-01-08 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/3.5-10.0 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3.5 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 1 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/1000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.90 m | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 164 grams (0.36 lbs) | 185 grams (0.41 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 model | D-LI68 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $120 | $200 |