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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W 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 HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
Photography Glossary

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung HZ15W, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Samsung. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the WG-3 (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was brought out 4 years after the HZ15W which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the WG-3 scores versus the HZ15W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Samsung HZ15W

 WG-3 HZ15W 
RevealedJuly 2013February 2009More modern by 54 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Pentax WG-3

 HZ15W WG-3 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung HZ15W

 WG-3 HZ15W 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 has physical measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung HZ15W in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the WG-3 compared to the HZ15W.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 and HZ15W is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The image below should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and HZ15W.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax WG-3 to produce more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer WG-3 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
31
focusing manually
features face detect focusing
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography info
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-3
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
72
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
54
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (249g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography info
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography info
54
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
40
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging details
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging details
36
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
28
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
heavier than competition (249g)
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Samsung HZ15W
 Pentax WG-3Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax WG-3 Samsung HZ15W
Also referred to as - WB550
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-07-19 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230g (0.51 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $300 $330