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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 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
  • Announced July 2013
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony W290, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was brought out 4 years after the W290 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the WG-3 GPS scores against the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony W290

 WG-3 GPS W290 
IntroducedJuly 2013February 2009Newer by 54 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 W290 WG-3 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W290

 WG-3 GPS W290 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS has outer measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the WG-3 GPS and the W290.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 GPS and W290 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The pic here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and W290.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax WG-3 GPS to result in greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer WG-3 GPS should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (238 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
69
weather sealing
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery life (240 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (238 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography factors
Sony W290 Landscape photography factors
54
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
41
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
34
really wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (238 grams)
28
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W290
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand 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 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238 grams (0.52 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" 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 -
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 One One
Price at launch $350 $230