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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced July 2013
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Launched August 2012
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax X-5, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Pentax. The image resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was manufactured 12 months later than the X-5 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the WG-3 GPS matches up versus the X-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Pentax X-5

 WG-3 GPS X-5 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2012Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 X-5 WG-3 GPS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax X-5

 WG-3 GPS X-5 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS features external measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

See the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax X-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the WG-3 GPS versus the X-5.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 GPS and X-5 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The visual underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 GPS and X-5.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photos however you will need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more recent WG-3 GPS is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography information
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography information
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
43
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
features face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography advice
Pentax X-5 Street photography advice
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than average (238g)
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition (595 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography info
Pentax X-5 Sports photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
69
environment proof
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery life (240 shots)
heavier than average (238g)
does not have selfie friendly display
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (595g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
54
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery life (240 shots)
47
manual focus
quite wide (22mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging details
Pentax X-5 Vlogging details
34
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
heavier than average (238g)
26
quite wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
heavier than competition (595g)
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax X-5
 Pentax WG-3 GPSPentax X-5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Pentax X-5
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-07-19 2012-08-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
AE 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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 gr (0.52 pounds) 595 gr (1.31 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
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 240 shots 330 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 4 x AA
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 slots Single Single
Retail pricing $350 $230