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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 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 A390
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony A390

 WG-3 A390 
RevealedJuly 2013July 2010Fresher by 37 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax WG-3

 A390 WG-3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography factors
Sony A390 Portrait photography factors
41
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
72
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3
Sports photography with Sony A390
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography features
Sony A390 Travel photography features
72
weather proof
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery (240 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3
Landscape photography with Sony A390
54
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (240 shots)
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3
Vlogging with Sony A390
36
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
9
no video
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony A390
 Pentax WG-3Sony 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