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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 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
  • Released July 2013
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched September 2018
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony HX99, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the HX99 (18MP) is fairly close but the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) use different sensor dimensions.

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The WG-3 GPS was introduced 6 years before the HX99 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the WG-3 GPS matches up versus the HX99 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony HX99

 WG-3 GPS HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 HX99 WG-3 GPS 
LaunchedSeptember 2018July 2013More modern by 62 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony HX99

 WG-3 GPS HX99 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display dimension3"3.00"Identical display sizing

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 GPS features exterior measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony HX99 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony HX99 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the WG-3 GPS vs the HX99.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and HX99 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and HX99.

As you can see, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The WG-3 GPS having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Sony HX99 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged WG-3 GPS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Portrait photography with Sony HX99
40
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
53
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography factors
Sony HX99 Street photography factors
58
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition (238 grams)
77
tilting screen
built in image stabilization
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (242g)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sports photography with Sony HX99
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
58
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery power (360 per charge)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography advice
Sony HX99 Travel photography advice
68
environment proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition (238g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
76
good battery power (360 shots)
lighter than average in class (242 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Landscape photography camera
53
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (240 per charge)
58
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3.00 inches)
built in image stabilization
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (360 CIPA)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Vlogging with Sony HX99
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
heavier than competition (238 grams)
76
reasonably wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization
includes face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than average in class (242 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have external microphone support
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony HX99
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-07-19 2018-09-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.00 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 grams (0.52 pounds) 242 grams (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 360 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $469