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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs

Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced August 2011
Pentax WG-3 GPS
(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
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2013
Photography Glossary

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS, both Waterproof cameras and both are produced by Pentax. The image resolution of the WG-1 GPS (14MP) and the WG-3 GPS (16MP) is very close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The WG-1 GPS was launched 23 months before the WG-3 GPS making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the WG-1 GPS grades vs the WG-3 GPS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 WG-1 GPS WG-3 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 WG-3 GPS WG-1 GPS 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2011More recent by 23 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 WG-1 GPS WG-3 GPS 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-1 GPS offers outside measurements of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 GPS has measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the WG-1 GPS and the WG-3 GPS.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-1 GPS and WG-3 GPS is 93 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-1 GPS and WG-3 GPS.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax WG-3 GPS to render greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older WG-1 GPS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography highlights
35
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
41
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography highlights
54
weather proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition (238 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
37
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Travel photography camera
71
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (240 shots)
heavier than competition (238g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
42
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery power (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
25
rather wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
heavier than competition (238g)
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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 GPS and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPSPentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS Pentax WG-3 GPS
Class Waterproof Waterproof
Announced 2011-08-16 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display 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 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 lbs) 238g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photos 240 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $350 $350