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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 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
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 4.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 283g - 133 x 71 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Pentax and Samsung. The resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the Galaxy Camera 2 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was introduced 5 months earlier than the Galaxy Camera 2 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the WG-3 scores against the Galaxy Camera 2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

 WG-3 Galaxy Camera 2 

Reasons to pick Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 over the Pentax WG-3

 Galaxy Camera 2 WG-3 
Screen sizing4.8"3"Bigger screen (+1.8")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

 WG-3 Galaxy Camera 2 
LaunchedJuly 2013January 2014Same generation
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 comes with 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 Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 has specifications of 133mm x 71mm x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

See the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the WG-3 compared to the Galaxy Camera 2.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and Galaxy Camera 2 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The graphic here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-3 and Galaxy Camera 2.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you really should take the release date of the cameras into account.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Portrait photography info
41
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography information
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than average in class (283 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography advice
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Sports photography advice
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
48
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good battery pack (400 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography features
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Travel photography features
72
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
73
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (283 grams)
has bluetooth
includes touch to focus
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (23mm)
great zoom (483mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography factors
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Landscape photography factors
54
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery power (240 per charge)
52
focusing manually
quite wide (23mm)
bigger than average screen (4.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
good battery pack (400 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 as a Vlogging camera
36
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
37
quite wide (23mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic support
lighter than average in class (283g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
 Pentax WG-3Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
General Information
Company Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax WG-3 Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-07-19 2014-01-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 1.6GHz Quad-Core Exynos
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 23-483mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 4.8 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating HD Super Clear Touch Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.40 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill-in, slow sync, flash off, redeye fix
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 283 grams (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 133 x 71 x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 photos 400 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 Built-in
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $300 $400