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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 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 S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony S950, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and S950 (10MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was launched 4 years after the S950 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the WG-3 GPS scores versus the S950 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony S950

 WG-3 GPS S950 
AnnouncedJuly 2013February 2009More modern by 54 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 S950 WG-3 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony S950

 WG-3 GPS S950 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 GPS provides external measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony S950 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the WG-3 GPS compared to the S950.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 GPS and S950 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and S950.

As you can see, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax WG-3 GPS to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer WG-3 GPS should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography info
Sony S950 Portrait photography info
41
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
26
focusing manually
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography advice
Sony S950 Street photography advice
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (238 grams)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography information
Sony S950 Sports photography information
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography information
Sony S950 Travel photography information
69
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (238g)
screen is not selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Landscape photography with Sony S950
54
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery power (240 shots)
31
focusing manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging information
Sony S950 Vlogging information
34
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (238g)
9
can't record video
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony S950
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-07-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
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) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.40 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $130