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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 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
  • Revealed July 2013
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W550, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 GPS was unveiled 2 years later than the W550 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the WG-3 GPS matches up against the W550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony W550

 WG-3 GPS W550 
IntroducedJuly 2013July 2011Fresher by 25 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 W550 WG-3 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W550

 WG-3 GPS W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 GPS provides physical 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 W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the WG-3 GPS compared to the W550.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and W550 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 GPS and W550.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax WG-3 GPS to give you extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more recent WG-3 GPS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Portrait photography with Sony W550
41
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography features
Sony W550 Street photography features
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competitors (238g)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W550 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography factors
Sony W550 Travel photography factors
69
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
heavier than competitors (238 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W550 as a Landscape photography camera
54
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
42
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
34
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
heavier than competitors (238g)
29
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony W550
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Waterproof Ultracompact
Revealed 2013-07-19 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type 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
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 grams (0.52 lbs) 110 grams (0.24 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 shots -
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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One -
Launch price $350 $119