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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 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
  • Released July 2013
Sony W530
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 113g - 93 x 53 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony W530, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the W530 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was brought out 2 years after the W530 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony W530 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the WG-3 GPS grades against the W530 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony W530

 WG-3 GPS W530 
ReleasedJuly 2013January 2011More modern by 31 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W530 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 W530 WG-3 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W530

 WG-3 GPS W530 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 GPS offers 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 W530 has specifications of 93mm x 53mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WG-3 GPS versus Sony W530 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the WG-3 GPS versus the W530.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and W530 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading specifications. The pic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 GPS and W530.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax WG-3 GPS to offer you extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher WG-3 GPS will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography advice
Sony W530 Portrait photography advice
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detect focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography factors
Sony W530 Street photography factors
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than average (238 grams)
48
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sports photography with Sony W530
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
26
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography features
Sony W530 Travel photography features
69
weather sealing
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
heavier than average (238g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
65
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography details
Sony W530 Landscape photography details
54
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery (240 shots)
33
reasonably wide (26mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Vlogging with Sony W530
34
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no mic jack
heavier than average (238g)
26
reasonably wide (26mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W530 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W530
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
Type Waterproof Ultracompact
Released 2013-07-19 2011-01-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 gr (0.52 lb) 113 gr (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 93 x 53 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
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 release $350 $269