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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sigma DP3 Merrill front
Portability
83
Imaging
56
Features
33
Overall
46

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill 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
  • Announced July 2013
Sigma DP3 Merrill
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 75mm (F2.8) lens
  • 330g - 122 x 67 x 59mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Old Model is Sigma DP2 Merrill
Photography Glossary

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sigma DP3 Merrill, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the DP3 Merrill (15MP) is pretty close but the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and DP3 Merrill (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The WG-3 GPS was launched 7 months after the DP3 Merrill so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sigma DP3 Merrill being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the WG-3 GPS grades vs the DP3 Merrill in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sigma DP3 Merrill

 WG-3 GPS DP3 Merrill 
IntroducedJuly 2013January 2013More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sigma DP3 Merrill over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 DP3 Merrill WG-3 GPS 
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sigma DP3 Merrill

 WG-3 GPS DP3 Merrill 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 GPS provides exterior dimensions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sigma DP3 Merrill has proportions of 122mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sigma DP3 Merrill in the latest 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 use during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the WG-3 GPS and the DP3 Merrill.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and DP3 Merrill is 90 and 83 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The picture here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-3 GPS and DP3 Merrill.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The WG-3 GPS featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax WG-3 GPS will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger WG-3 GPS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography features
Sigma DP3 Merrill Portrait photography features
41
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
manual focus
decent MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Street photography camera
Sigma DP3 Merrill as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (238 grams)
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sports photography with Sigma DP3 Merrill
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (240 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
44
decent MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
fixed focal length (75mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography details
Sigma DP3 Merrill Travel photography details
69
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
low battery pack (240 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (238 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
decent MP (15 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Landscape photography highlights
54
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery pack (240 CIPA)
55
manual focus
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (75mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging highlights
Sigma DP3 Merrill Vlogging highlights
34
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (238g)
22
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sigma DP3 Merrill Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sigma DP3 Merrill
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSigma DP3 Merrill
General Information
Company Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sigma DP3 Merrill
Class Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-07-19 2013-01-08
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Dual TRUE II engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4704 x 3136
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 75mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs -
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 grams (0.52 lb) 330 grams (0.73 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 122 x 67 x 59mm (4.8" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal -
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $1,353