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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Pentax WG-3 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2013
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax XG-1, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Pentax. The image resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was manufactured 12 months before the XG-1 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the WG-3 GPS grades versus the XG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Pentax XG-1

 WG-3 GPS XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 XG-1 WG-3 GPS 
IntroducedJuly 2014July 2013More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax XG-1

 WG-3 GPS XG-1 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 GPS features exterior measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax XG-1 has proportions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax XG-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the WG-3 GPS compared to the XG-1.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 GPS and XG-1 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and XG-1.

As you can see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs however you might want to take the age of the products into consideration. The more aged WG-3 GPS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography factors
41
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
40
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Street photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (238 grams)
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than average (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (240 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (240 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
69
environment proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
low battery pack (240 per charge)
more heavy than competitors in class (238g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
52
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (240 per charge)
heavier than average (567 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography factors
54
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery pack (240 per charge)
45
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (240 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging factors
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging factors
34
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (238 grams)
25
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
heavier than average (567 grams)
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Pentax XG-1
 Pentax WG-3 GPSPentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Pentax XG-1
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-07-19 2014-07-15
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.40 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 grams (0.52 lb) 567 grams (1.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 pictures 240 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $350 $599