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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 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
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Announced September 2014
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Lens-style by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was announced 13 months prior to the QX30 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the WG-3 GPS grades against the QX30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony QX30

 WG-3 GPS QX30 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display sizing3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution460k0kSharper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 QX30 WG-3 GPS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014July 2013Newer by 13 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony QX30

 WG-3 GPS QX30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 GPS has physical dimensions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony QX30 has sizing of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the WG-3 GPS compared to the QX30.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and QX30 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 GPS and QX30.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony QX30 to offer you greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged WG-3 GPS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography highlights
Sony QX30 Portrait photography highlights
41
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
38
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Street photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (238 grams)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography advice
Sony QX30 Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Travel photography camera
69
weather proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
low battery life (240 shots)
heavier than competition in class (238g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
65
has focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Landscape photography camera
54
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery life (240 shots)
39
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small ( inches)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery (200 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Vlogging with Sony QX30
34
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no external mic port
heavier than competition in class (238 grams)
35
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic port
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony QX30
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Category Waterproof Lens-style
Introduced 2013-07-19 2014-09-03
Body design Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
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) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches -
Resolution of screen 460k dot 0k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft None
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238g (0.52 lbs) 193g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 shots 200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $350 $348