Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230
91 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
- Released February 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Launched February 2009

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the WG-2 GPS (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The WG-2 GPS was introduced 3 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the WG-2 GPS grades versus the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax WG-2 GPS Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Sony W230
WG-2 GPS | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 37 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS
W230 | WG-2 GPS |
---|
Common features in the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony W230
WG-2 GPS | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch display |
Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-2 GPS has got outside dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Compare the Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the WG-2 GPS versus the W230.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-2 GPS and W230 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-2 GPS and W230.
Plainly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax WG-2 GPS to show greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher WG-2 GPS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W230 Specifications
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2012-02-07 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 1 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.40 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 198 gr (0.44 lbs) | 156 gr (0.34 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 life | 260 photos | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI92 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $300 | $180 |