Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500
90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
![Pentax WG-3 front Pentax WG-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-WG-3/Pentax-WG-3-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha a3500 front Sony Alpha a3500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-a3500/Sony-a3500-front.jpg)
69 Imaging
63 Features
54 Overall
59
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Announced July 2013
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
- Released March 2014
- Superseded the Sony A3000
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Pentax WG-3 versus Sony a3500, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is very well matched but the WG-3 (1/2.3") and a3500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The WG-3 was launched 8 months prior to the a3500 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the WG-3 scores against the a3500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax WG-3 & Sony Alpha a3500. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-3 Gallery & Sony a3500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony a3500
WG-3 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Pentax WG-3
a3500 | WG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2014 | ![]() | July 2013 | More recent by 8 months |
Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony a3500
WG-3 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 offers outer dimensions 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 a3500 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
Compare the Pentax WG-3 versus Sony a3500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-3 versus the a3500.
![Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 size comparison Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-WG-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a3500-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and a3500 is 90 and 69 respectively.
![Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-WG-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a3500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 and a3500.
All in all, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The WG-3 because of its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Sony a3500 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older WG-3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.
![Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-WG-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a3500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-WG-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a3500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony a3500 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 | Sony Alpha a3500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax WG-3 | Sony Alpha a3500 |
Type | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-07-19 | 2014-03-21 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | BIONZ image |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 5456 x 3632 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.40 m | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 230g (0.51 lbs) | 411g (0.91 lbs) |
Dimensions | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 photos | 470 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | - |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $300 | $398 |