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Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Pentax WG-3
(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
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released July 2013
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Released July 2014
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Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Below is a thorough comparison of the Pentax WG-3 and Pentax XG-1, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Pentax. The image resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was released 12 months prior to the XG-1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the WG-3 grades vs the XG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Pentax XG-1

 WG-3 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Pentax WG-3

 XG-1 WG-3 
ReleasedJuly 2014July 2013More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Pentax XG-1

 WG-3 XG-1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 enjoys outside dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Pentax XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WG-3 and Pentax XG-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-3 compared to the XG-1.

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 and XG-1 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 and XG-1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs though you have to take the production date of the products into consideration. The older WG-3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography information
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography information
41
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
40
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography details
Pentax XG-1 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography highlights
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography advice
72
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (240 shots)
heavier than others (567 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
54
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
45
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery life (240 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging factors
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging factors
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
25
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
heavier than others (567g)
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Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Pentax XG-1
 Pentax WG-3Pentax XG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax WG-3 Pentax XG-1
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-07-19 2014-07-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lb) 567 gr (1.25 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 images 240 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $300 $599