Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3
90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
- Released July 2013
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Released August 2011
- Replaced the Sony NEX-3
- Successor is Sony NEX-F3

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Below, we will be evaluating the Pentax WG-3 and Sony NEX-C3, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is pretty similar but the WG-3 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

The WG-3 was revealed 24 months later than the NEX-C3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the WG-3 matches up against the NEX-C3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax WG-3 & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The full galleries are available at Pentax WG-3 Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony NEX-C3
WG-3 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 24 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Pentax WG-3
NEX-C3 | WG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony NEX-C3
WG-3 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 has 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 NEX-C3 has proportions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Pentax WG-3 and Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the WG-3 versus the NEX-C3.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 and NEX-C3 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The visual here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and NEX-C3.
All in all, each of the cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The WG-3 features the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh more challenging. The newer WG-3 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax WG-3 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Type | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-07-19 | 2011-08-22 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 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 | - |
Number of lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.40 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 230 gr (0.51 pounds) | 225 gr (0.50 pounds) |
Dimensions | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 images | 400 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $300 | $343 |