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Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs

Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched February 2012
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also referred to as WB600
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Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Here, we are looking at the Pentax WG-2 versus Samsung HZ30W, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and HZ30W (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WG-2 was launched 2 years after the HZ30W which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the WG-2 grades versus the HZ30W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Samsung HZ30W

 WG-2 HZ30W 
IntroducedFebruary 2012January 2010Newer by 25 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Pentax WG-2

 HZ30W WG-2 

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 and Samsung HZ30W

 WG-2 HZ30W 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-2 enjoys physical measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Samsung HZ30W has dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WG-2 versus Samsung HZ30W in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-2 and the HZ30W.

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-2 and HZ30W is 91 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-2 and HZ30W.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-2 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more recent WG-2 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Portrait photography camera
40
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
29
has manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Street photography details
Samsung HZ30W Street photography details
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Sports photography camera
38
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
42
excellent zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
Travel photography with Samsung HZ30W
70
weather sealing
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than competition in class (245g)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (360mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Vlogging factors
Samsung HZ30W Vlogging factors
30
relatively wide (28mm)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic support
30
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 and Samsung HZ30W
 Pentax Optio WG-2Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio WG-2 Samsung HZ30W
Alternative name - WB600
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-02-07 2010-01-19
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.40 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 192 gr (0.42 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $350 $280