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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W 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 HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternative Name is WB600
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Samsung HZ30W, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Pentax and Samsung. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and HZ30W (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was released 3 years later than the HZ30W and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the WG-3 GPS scores vs the HZ30W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Samsung HZ30W

 WG-3 GPS HZ30W 
LaunchedJuly 2013January 2010More recent by 43 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 HZ30W WG-3 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung HZ30W

 WG-3 GPS HZ30W 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS has got outside 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) and the Samsung HZ30W has dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Samsung HZ30W in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the WG-3 GPS vs the HZ30W.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and HZ30W is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The visual below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 GPS and HZ30W.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax WG-3 GPS to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher WG-3 GPS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography details
Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography details
41
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers face detection focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
29
manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Street photography with Samsung HZ30W
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (238 grams)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography highlights
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
42
great zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography features
Samsung HZ30W Travel photography features
69
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
low battery life (240 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (238g)
screen is not selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (245g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (360mm)
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ30W
54
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery life (240 per charge)
43
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
Samsung HZ30W Vlogging features
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (238 grams)
30
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung HZ30W
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSamsung HZ30W
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Samsung HZ30W
Also called as - WB600
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-07-19 2010-01-19
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.40 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238g (0.52 lb) 245g (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $280