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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Pentax WG-3
(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
  • Introduced July 2013
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • Renewed by Sony HX30V
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is relatively similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was launched 13 months later than the HX20V which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the WG-3 grades vs the HX20V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony HX20V

 WG-3 HX20V 
RevealedJuly 2013July 2012More recent by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax WG-3

 HX20V WG-3 
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony HX20V

 WG-3 HX20V 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 comes with external dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Examine the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the WG-3 and the HX20V.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 and HX20V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specifications. The photograph here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 and HX20V.

To sum up, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony HX20V to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger WG-3 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
45
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
offers face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography highlights
Sony HX20V Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography details
Sony HX20V Sports photography details
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography details
Sony HX20V Travel photography details
72
environment proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competitors (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography details
Sony HX20V Landscape photography details
54
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
50
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3
Vlogging with Sony HX20V
36
quite wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of microphone support
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (254g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony HX20V
 Pentax WG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-07-19 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 pictures 320 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $300 $397