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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
Sony NEX-C3
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony NEX-C3

 WG-3 NEX-C3 
ReleasedJuly 2013August 2011Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Pentax WG-3

 NEX-C3 WG-3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony NEX-C3

 WG-3 NEX-C3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography details
41
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
73
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3
Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
79
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography highlights
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 shots)
has no phase detect AF
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery power (400 CIPA)
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography info
72
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery (240 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery power (400 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (225g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography information
54
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
environment sealing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (240 per charge)
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Vlogging camera
36
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony NEX-C3
 Pentax WG-3Sony 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