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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Announced July 2013
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Replacement is Sony HX30V
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony HX20V, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was manufactured 13 months after the HX20V which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the WG-3 GPS matches up vs the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony HX20V

 WG-3 GPS HX20V 
ReleasedJuly 2013July 2012More modern by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 HX20V WG-3 GPS 
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony HX20V

 WG-3 GPS HX20V 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider 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") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony HX20V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the WG-3 GPS versus the HX20V.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and HX20V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and HX20V.

Clearly, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony HX20V to produce greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher WG-3 GPS will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography info
Sony HX20V Portrait photography info
41
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
focusing manually
good resolution (18MP)
features face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography information
Sony HX20V Street photography information
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition (238 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography info
Sony HX20V Sports photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography features
Sony HX20V Travel photography features
69
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition (238 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX20V Landscape photography highlights
54
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather sealing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery power (240 shots)
50
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging info
Sony HX20V Vlogging info
34
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition (238g)
34
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony HX20V
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-07-19 2012-07-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.40 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 gr (0.52 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $397