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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Samsung NX300M front
Portability
86
Imaging
62
Features
73
Overall
66

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M 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
  • Announced July 2013
Samsung NX300M
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung NX300M, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the NX300M (20MP) is pretty similar but the WG-3 (1/2.3") and NX300M (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

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The WG-3 was announced 7 months later than the NX300M and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX300M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the WG-3 scores vs the NX300M with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Samsung NX300M

 WG-3 NX300M 
IntroducedJuly 2013January 2013Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Pentax WG-3

 NX300M WG-3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.3"3"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution768k460kCrisper screen (+308k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung NX300M

 WG-3 NX300M 
Manually focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 comes with exterior measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Samsung NX300M has proportions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung NX300M in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-3 against the NX300M.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and NX300M is 90 and 86 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and NX300M.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The WG-3 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Samsung NX300M will offer greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern WG-3 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography features
Samsung NX300M Portrait photography features
41
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
77
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX300M as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
80
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3
Sports photography with Samsung NX300M
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
good MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography advice
Samsung NX300M Travel photography advice
72
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
has touch to focus
good MP (20MP)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3
Landscape photography with Samsung NX300M
54
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
72
manual focus
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a good size (3.3")
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging information
Samsung NX300M Vlogging information
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
33
has touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone port
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung NX300M Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Samsung NX300M
 Pentax WG-3Samsung NX300M
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax WG-3 Samsung NX300M
Class Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-07-19 2013-01-03
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 247
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 768k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230g (0.51 lbs) 331g (0.73 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6")
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 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $300 $699