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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M

Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
 
Samsung NX300M front
Portability
86
Imaging
61
Features
73
Overall
65

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M Key Specs

Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Samsung NX300M
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Pentax WG-2 GPS versus Samsung NX300M, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the WG-2 GPS (16MP) and the NX300M (20MP) is relatively comparable but the WG-2 GPS (1/2.3") and NX300M (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The WG-2 GPS was revealed 11 months before the NX300M so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-2 GPS being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX300M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the WG-2 GPS grades against the NX300M when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Samsung NX300M

 WG-2 GPS NX300M 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 NX300M WG-2 GPS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2012Newer by 11 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.3"3"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution768k460kSharper screen (+308k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Samsung NX300M

 WG-2 GPS NX300M 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax WG-2 GPS provides external dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Samsung NX300M has specifications of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-2 GPS versus Samsung NX300M in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-2 GPS versus the NX300M.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-2 GPS and NX300M is 91 and 86 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The picture here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-2 GPS and NX300M.

Plainly, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The WG-2 GPS using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Samsung NX300M will show extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged WG-2 GPS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung NX300M as a Portrait photography camera
39
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
76
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX300M as a Street photography camera
54
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography factors
Samsung NX300M Sports photography factors
37
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Travel photography with Samsung NX300M
70
environment proof
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
66
provides focus via touch
good MP (20 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography information
Samsung NX300M Landscape photography information
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a good size (3.3 inch)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging info
Samsung NX300M Vlogging info
30
pretty wide (28mm)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
33
touchscreen capability
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic socket
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX300M Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 GPS and Samsung NX300M
 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPSSamsung NX300M
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS Samsung NX300M
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-02-07 2013-01-03
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - DRIMe IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 247
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 768k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 gr (0.44 pounds) 331 gr (0.73 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6")
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 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $300 $699