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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Samsung SL720 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 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 SL720
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as PL70
Photography Glossary

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung SL720, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Pentax and Samsung. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the WG-3 (16MP) and SL720 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was revealed 4 years after the SL720 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the WG-3 grades against the SL720 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Samsung SL720

 WG-3 SL720 
IntroducedJuly 2013July 2009Newer by 49 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Pentax WG-3

 SL720 WG-3 

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Samsung SL720

 WG-3 SL720 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 provides outer measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Samsung SL720 has proportions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax WG-3 versus Samsung SL720 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the WG-3 and the SL720.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and SL720 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The image underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and SL720.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-3 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger WG-3 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Portrait photography camera
41
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detect focusing
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
21
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Street photography camera
Samsung SL720 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (168 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography advice
Samsung SL720 Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
17
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography highlights
Samsung SL720 Travel photography highlights
72
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery life (240 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
56
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (168 grams)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography factors
Samsung SL720 Landscape photography factors
54
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery life (240 shots)
27
fairly wide (28mm)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging info
Samsung SL720 Vlogging info
36
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (168 grams)
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Pentax WG-3 vs Samsung SL720 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Samsung SL720
 Pentax WG-3Samsung SL720
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax WG-3 Samsung SL720
Also called as - PL70
Class Waterproof Ultracompact
Released 2013-07-19 2009-07-14
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 1600
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-102mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.40 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 168 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $300 $119