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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 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
  • Introduced July 2013
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Pentax WG-3 versus Sony A7, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the WG-3 (16MP) and A7 (24MP) and the WG-3 (1/2.3") and A7 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The WG-3 was launched 6 months earlier than the A7 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the WG-3 matches up against the A7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony A7

 WG-3 A7 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Pentax WG-3

 A7 WG-3 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1230k460kSharper display (+770k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony A7

 WG-3 A7 
ReleasedJuly 2013January 2014Same age
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 features 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 Sony A7 has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WG-3 versus Sony A7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the WG-3 versus the A7.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 and A7 is 90 and 78 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The image below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-3 and A7.

As you can see, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The WG-3 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A7 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3
Portrait photography with Sony A7
41
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
82
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3
Street photography with Sony A7
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
screen tilts up and down
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
lighter than competitors in class (474g)
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography info
Sony A7 Sports photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
66
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (340 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography details
Sony A7 Travel photography details
72
weather sealing
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors in class (474g)
weather proof
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
terrible battery life (340 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7 as a Landscape photography camera
54
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
75
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (340 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging factors
Sony A7 Vlogging factors
36
fairly wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
35
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (474g)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony A7
 Pentax WG-3Sony Alpha A7
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 Sony Alpha A7
Category Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-07-19 2014-01-22
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 50
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 117
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 lbs) 474 grams (1.04 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 2248
Other
Battery life 240 images 340 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $300 $798