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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 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
  • Revealed July 2013
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Replacement is Sony A57
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 Overview

Here is a extended review of the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The WG-3 GPS was introduced 2 years later than the A55 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the WG-3 GPS scores vs the A55 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony A55

 WG-3 GPS A55 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2010Fresher by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 A55 WG-3 GPS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony A55

 WG-3 GPS A55 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 GPS enjoys exterior dimensions 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 A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the WG-3 GPS versus the A55.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 GPS and A55 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to see the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 GPS and A55.

All in all, each of these cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The WG-3 GPS uses the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging. The newer WG-3 GPS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography highlights
Sony A55 Portrait photography highlights
41
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography details
Sony A55 Street photography details
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than average in class (238g)
77
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography features
Sony A55 Sports photography features
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery power (380 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography information
Sony A55 Travel photography information
69
environment proof
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
low battery life (240 CIPA)
more heavy than average in class (238 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
62
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse recording
low battery power (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A55 as a Landscape photography camera
54
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery life (240 CIPA)
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
low battery power (380 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging advice
Sony A55 Vlogging advice
34
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (238 grams)
78
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone support
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony A55
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony SLT-A55
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony SLT-A55
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-07-19 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.40 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 238g (0.52 lbs) 500g (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life 240 shots 380 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $350 $800