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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 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
  • Announced July 2013
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A55
  • Refreshed by Sony A58
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the WG-3 GPS (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The WG-3 GPS was revealed 11 months later than the A57 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the WG-3 GPS matches up against the A57 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony A57

 WG-3 GPS A57 
RevealedJuly 2013September 2012More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 A57 WG-3 GPS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony A57

 WG-3 GPS A57 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 GPS has got physical measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check out the Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-3 GPS compared to the A57.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and A57 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and A57.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The WG-3 GPS comes with the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field harder. The fresher WG-3 GPS should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
41
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography info
Sony A57 Street photography info
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (238 grams)
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography advice
Sony A57 Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography features
Sony A57 Travel photography features
69
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (238g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
Landscape photography with Sony A57
54
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
72
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
Sony A57 Vlogging features
34
pretty wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
heavier than competition in class (238g)
77
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony A57
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 GPS Sony SLT-A57
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-07-19 2012-09-13
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 gr (0.52 lb) 618 gr (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 240 photographs 550 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $350 $1,000