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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. The resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was brought out 2 years after the PL170 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Samsung PL170 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the WG-3 matches up against the PL170 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Samsung PL170

 WG-3 PL170 
AnnouncedJuly 2013January 2011More modern by 31 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Pentax WG-3

 PL170 WG-3 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung PL170

 WG-3 PL170 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 enjoys external 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 PL170 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check out the Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the WG-3 against the PL170.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 and PL170 is 90 and 99 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The pic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-3 and PL170.

Plainly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of pictures however you might want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger WG-3 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography info
41
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3
Street photography with Samsung PL170
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
50
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography highlights
Samsung PL170 Sports photography highlights
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography details
Samsung PL170 Travel photography details
72
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
71
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
54
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery life (240 CIPA)
39
good maximum aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging info
Samsung PL170 Vlogging info
36
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
27
good maximum aperture (f)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
Photography Glossary

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Samsung PL170
 Pentax WG-3Samsung PL170
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax WG-3 Samsung PL170
Class Waterproof Ultracompact
Launched 2013-07-19 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Ultracompact
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 -
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) ()
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230g (0.51 lbs) -
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal -
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $300 $175