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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Launched July 2013
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Lets look much closer at the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Samsung HZ15W, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Samsung. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was brought out 4 years after the HZ15W which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the WG-3 GPS grades vs the HZ15W when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Samsung HZ15W

 WG-3 GPS HZ15W 
ReleasedJuly 2013February 2009Newer by 54 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 HZ15W WG-3 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung HZ15W

 WG-3 GPS HZ15W 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS comes with outside dimensions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Samsung HZ15W in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the WG-3 GPS vs the HZ15W.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 GPS and HZ15W is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-3 GPS and HZ15W.

Clearly, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Pentax WG-3 GPS to resolve more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher WG-3 GPS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
41
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
32
has manual focus
includes face detect focusing
no manual control
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition (238 grams)
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than average (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography highlights
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (240 per charge)
no phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography details
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography details
69
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
low battery pack (240 per charge)
more heavy than competition (238g)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average (249 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography advice
54
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (240 per charge)
41
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging advice
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging advice
34
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition (238 grams)
29
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
heavier than average (249 grams)
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung HZ15W
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Samsung HZ15W
Other name - WB550
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-07-19 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.40 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 grams (0.52 lbs) 249 grams (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $350 $330