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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Samsung SL30 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 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
  • Introduced July 2013
Samsung SL30
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Samsung SL30

 WG-3 GPS SL30 
IntroducedJuly 2013February 2009Fresher by 54 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Portrait photography with Samsung SL30
41
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
25
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography highlights
Samsung SL30 Street photography highlights
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (238 grams)
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography highlights
Samsung SL30 Sports photography highlights
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (240 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography advice
Samsung SL30 Travel photography advice
69
weather sealing
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
low battery (240 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (238 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography factors
Samsung SL30 Landscape photography factors
54
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (240 per charge)
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging info
Samsung SL30 Vlogging info
34
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (238g)
25
includes face detect focus
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Samsung SL30
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSamsung 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