Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390
90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Revealed July 2010
- Older Model is Sony A380

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax WG-3 versus Sony A390, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty similar but the WG-3 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

The WG-3 was brought out 3 years later than the A390 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the WG-3 scores versus the A390 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax WG-3 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax WG-3 Gallery & Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony A390
WG-3 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 37 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax WG-3
A390 | WG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony A390
WG-3 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch screen |
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 comes with outer measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax WG-3 versus Sony A390 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the WG-3 against the A390.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and A390 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 and A390.
Plainly, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The WG-3 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax WG-3 will offer you more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer WG-3 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax WG-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Type | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2013-07-19 | 2010-07-28 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.40 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 230g (0.51 lbs) | 549g (1.21 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 pictures | 230 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $300 | $500 |