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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 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 TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony TX20, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was introduced 17 months later than the TX20 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the WG-3 GPS scores against the TX20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony TX20

 WG-3 GPS TX20 
LaunchedJuly 2013February 2012More recent by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 TX20 WG-3 GPS 
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony TX20

 WG-3 GPS TX20 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. 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) and the Sony TX20 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony TX20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the WG-3 GPS and the TX20.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and TX20 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 GPS and TX20.

All in all, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution and you can expect similar quality of images but you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The newer WG-3 GPS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
40
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography highlights
Sony TX20 Street photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition (238g)
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sports photography with Sony TX20
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery power (250 CIPA)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography information
Sony TX20 Travel photography information
69
weather proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
low battery power (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition (238g)
display is not selfie friendly
72
great battery power (250 per charge)
weather sealing
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography advice
Sony TX20 Landscape photography advice
54
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery power (240 CIPA)
52
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
great battery power (250 shots)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
Sony TX20 Vlogging features
34
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition (238 grams)
35
pretty wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony TX20
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Class Waterproof Ultracompact
Introduced 2013-07-19 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 125
RAW files
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 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen 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 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.40 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE 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 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 grams (0.52 lb) 133 grams (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $330