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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 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
  • Released July 2013
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was introduced 4 years after the W230 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the WG-3 GPS scores vs the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony W230

 WG-3 GPS W230 
AnnouncedJuly 2013February 2009More modern by 54 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 W230 WG-3 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W230

 WG-3 GPS W230 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 GPS has got outside dimensions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the WG-3 GPS against the W230.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 GPS and W230 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 GPS and W230.

As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-3 GPS to produce more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The fresher WG-3 GPS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Portrait photography with Sony W230
41
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography features
Sony W230 Street photography features
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than others in class (238 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sports photography with Sony W230
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Travel photography with Sony W230
69
weather proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery pack (240 per charge)
heavier than others in class (238g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Landscape photography with Sony W230
54
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proof
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery pack (240 shots)
36
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Vlogging with Sony W230
34
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
heavier than others in class (238 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W230
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-07-19 2009-02-17
Body design 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias 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 photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 grams (0.52 pounds) 156 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $350 $180