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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 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
  • Launched February 2012
Sony WX30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax WG-2 GPS versus Sony WX30, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-2 GPS (16MP) and the WX30 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The WG-2 GPS was introduced 7 months later than the WX30 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the WG-2 GPS matches up vs the WX30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Sony WX30

 WG-2 GPS WX30 
LaunchedFebruary 2012July 2011More recent by 7 months
Manually focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 WX30 WG-2 GPS 
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony WX30

 WG-2 GPS WX30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-2 GPS has physical dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony WX30 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WG-2 GPS versus Sony WX30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the WG-2 GPS compared to the WX30.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the WG-2 GPS and WX30 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The visual underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-2 GPS and WX30.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures but you will want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer WG-2 GPS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography factors
Sony WX30 Portrait photography factors
40
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
good resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography factors
Sony WX30 Street photography factors
54
weather proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography info
Sony WX30 Sports photography info
38
MP count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Travel photography with Sony WX30
70
weather proof
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography features
Sony WX30 Landscape photography features
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proof
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
43
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX30 as a Vlogging camera
30
pretty wide (28mm)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing microphone support
35
quite wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony WX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony WX30
 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-07 2011-07-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating XtraFine TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.40 m 3.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198g (0.44 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
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 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $300 $259