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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Samsung Galaxy NX front
Portability
82
Imaging
62
Features
76
Overall
67

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX 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
  • Introduced July 2013
Samsung Galaxy NX
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 4.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 495g - 137 x 101 x 26mm
  • Released June 2013
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung Galaxy NX, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the Galaxy NX (20MP) is relatively well matched but the WG-3 (1/2.3") and Galaxy NX (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The WG-3 was introduced about the same time to the Galaxy NX and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Samsung Galaxy NX being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the WG-3 scores vs the Galaxy NX with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Samsung Galaxy NX

 WG-3 Galaxy NX 

Reasons to pick Samsung Galaxy NX over the Pentax WG-3

 Galaxy NX WG-3 
Screen sizing4.8"3"Bigger screen (+1.8")
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung Galaxy NX

 WG-3 Galaxy NX 
ReleasedJuly 2013June 2013Similar generation
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 enjoys exterior 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 NX has sizing of 137mm x 101mm x 26mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 1.0") and a weight of 495 grams (1.09 lbs).

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

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the WG-3 vs the Galaxy NX.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and Galaxy NX is 90 and 82 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 and Galaxy NX.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The WG-3 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Samsung Galaxy NX will give more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3
Portrait photography with Samsung Galaxy NX
41
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
77
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3
Street photography with Samsung Galaxy NX
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
68
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
features touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (495g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography information
Samsung Galaxy NX Sports photography information
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (240 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery life (440 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung Galaxy NX as a Travel photography camera
72
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
low battery power (240 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
good battery life (440 shots)
features touch to focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (495 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography information
Samsung Galaxy NX Landscape photography information
54
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery power (240 shots)
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
lovely big screen (4.8")
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (440 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3
Vlogging with Samsung Galaxy NX
36
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
34
touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (495 grams)
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung Galaxy NX Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Samsung Galaxy NX
 Pentax WG-3Samsung Galaxy NX
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax WG-3 Samsung Galaxy NX
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-07-19 2013-06-20
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - DRIMe IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 4.8"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating HD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.40 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
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, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 495 grams (1.09 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 137 x 101 x 26mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 1.0")
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 shots 440 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $300 $1,300