Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30
90 Imaging
40 Features
43 Overall
41


95 Imaging
33 Features
14 Overall
25
Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced July 2013
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-114mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 140g - 94 x 61 x 23mm
- Introduced February 2009
- Alternative Name is ES15

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung SL30, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Samsung. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and SL30 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The WG-3 GPS was brought out 4 years later than the SL30 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the WG-3 GPS grades vs the SL30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung SL30. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax WG-3 GPS Gallery and Samsung SL30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Samsung SL30
WG-3 GPS | SL30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 54 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung SL30 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS
SL30 | WG-3 GPS |
---|
Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung SL30
WG-3 GPS | SL30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS has 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) while the Samsung SL30 has measurements of 94mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).
Compare the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung SL30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the WG-3 GPS and the SL30.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 GPS and SL30 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizing just by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 GPS and SL30.
As you can tell, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax WG-3 GPS to show more detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern WG-3 GPS will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 GPS | Samsung SL30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Samsung |
Model | Pentax WG-3 GPS | Samsung SL30 |
Also referred to as | - | ES15 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-07-19 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 38-114mm (3.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/2.8-5.7 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1500 secs |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.40 m | 4.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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) | 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 238 grams (0.52 lb) | 140 grams (0.31 lb) |
Dimensions | 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 94 x 61 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") |
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 images | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI92 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $350 | $93 |