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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 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 TX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 58 x 17mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony TX1, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and TX1 (10MP) and the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and TX1 (1/2.4") have totally different sensor size.

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The WG-3 GPS was launched 4 years later than the TX1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony TX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the WG-3 GPS scores against the TX1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony TX1

 WG-3 GPS TX1 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2009More recent by 49 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony TX1 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 TX1 WG-3 GPS 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony TX1

 WG-3 GPS TX1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 GPS features exterior dimensions 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 TX1 has specifications of 94mm x 58mm x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony TX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the WG-3 GPS vs the TX1.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and TX1 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 GPS and TX1.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The WG-3 GPS because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax WG-3 GPS will provide more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The newer WG-3 GPS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography info
Sony TX1 Portrait photography info
41
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
19
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Street photography with Sony TX1
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (238g)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sports photography with Sony TX1
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,250s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Travel photography camera
Sony TX1 as a Travel photography camera
69
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
low battery life (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors in class (238 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography information
Sony TX1 Landscape photography information
54
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery life (240 CIPA)
31
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
Sony TX1 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (238g)
28
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony TX1
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1
Category Waterproof Ultracompact
Introduced 2013-07-19 2009-08-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
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
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus range 1cm 8cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1250s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.40 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 grams (0.52 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 94 x 58 x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $350 $350