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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 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
  • Revealed July 2013
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony a1, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The WG-3 GPS was released 8 years prior to the a1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the WG-3 GPS scores vs the a1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony a1

 WG-3 GPS a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 a1 WG-3 GPS 
IntroducedJanuary 2021July 2013More recent by 91 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kSharper screen (+980k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony a1

 WG-3 GPS a1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS provides exterior measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony a1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-3 GPS against the a1.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and a1 is 90 and 61 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The photograph here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and a1.

Plainly, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The WG-3 GPS because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony a1 will provide more detail as a result of its extra 34MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older WG-3 GPS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography features
Sony a1 Portrait photography features
41
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
88
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/400 seconds)
excellent resolution (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography details
Sony a1 Street photography details
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition (238g)
79
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
environment proofing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery pack (530 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Travel photography camera
Sony a1 as a Travel photography camera
69
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (240 shots)
heavier than competition (238 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
73
great battery pack (530 shots)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
includes touch to focus
excellent resolution (50MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
54
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery power (240 shots)
88
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery pack (530 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Vlogging with Sony a1
34
decently wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing mic support
heavier than competition (238g)
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high res video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has external mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony a1
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Alpha a1
Type Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-07-19 2021-01-26
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 6400 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed - 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 gr (0.52 pounds) 737 gr (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 shots 530 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 1 2
Retail cost $350 $6,498