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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Ricoh WG-30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 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
  • Released July 2013
Ricoh WG-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Launched October 2014
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Ricoh WG-30, both Waterproof cameras by rivals Pentax and Ricoh. The resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the WG-30 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was released 14 months prior to the WG-30 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the WG-3 GPS scores vs the WG-30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Ricoh WG-30

 WG-3 GPS WG-30 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 WG-30 WG-3 GPS 
LaunchedOctober 2014July 2013Fresher by 14 months

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh WG-30

 WG-3 GPS WG-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS has got exterior measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-30 has measurements of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Ricoh WG-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the WG-3 GPS versus the WG-30.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and WG-30 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The visual below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 GPS and WG-30.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos though you need to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older WG-3 GPS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh WG-30 as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography factors
Ricoh WG-30 Street photography factors
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (238g)
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography factors
Ricoh WG-30 Sports photography factors
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
45
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography features
Ricoh WG-30 Travel photography features
69
environment proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (238g)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography advice
Ricoh WG-30 Landscape photography advice
54
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
43
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh WG-30 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (238g)
33
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Ricoh WG-30
 Pentax WG-3 GPSRicoh WG-30
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Ricoh WG-30
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Released 2013-07-19 2014-10-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 gr (0.52 pounds) 192 gr (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 240 pictures 300 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $428