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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W 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
  • Launched July 2013
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Also Known as WB600
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung HZ30W, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Samsung. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the WG-3 (16MP) and HZ30W (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was released 3 years later than the HZ30W and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the WG-3 grades versus the HZ30W for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Samsung HZ30W

 WG-3 HZ30W 
LaunchedJuly 2013January 2010Fresher by 43 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Pentax WG-3

 HZ30W WG-3 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung HZ30W

 WG-3 HZ30W 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 features physical dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ30W has measurements of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung HZ30W in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the WG-3 compared to the HZ30W.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and HZ30W is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing specifications. The graphic underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-3 and HZ30W.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax WG-3 to provide greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The younger WG-3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography information
41
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides face detection focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
29
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography information
Samsung HZ30W Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography highlights
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
42
incredible zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography features
Samsung HZ30W Travel photography features
72
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than average (245 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (360mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ30W
54
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
43
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging info
Samsung HZ30W Vlogging info
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone support
30
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic port
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Samsung HZ30W
 Pentax WG-3Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax WG-3 Samsung HZ30W
Alternative name - WB600
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-07-19 2010-01-19
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 230 gr (0.51 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $300 $280