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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 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
  • Launched July 2013
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 II
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Here is a thorough comparison of the Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX100, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is fairly similar but the WG-3 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") possess totally different sensor size.

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The WG-3 was announced 11 months later than the RX100 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the WG-3 scores vs the RX100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony RX100

 WG-3 RX100 
AnnouncedJuly 2013August 2012Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Pentax WG-3

 RX100 WG-3 
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX100

 WG-3 RX100 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 enjoys outer measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Examine the Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the WG-3 compared to the RX100.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and RX100 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and RX100.

As you can see, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The WG-3 having a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony RX100 will deliver more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher WG-3 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX100 Portrait photography highlights
41
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
64
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography factors
Sony RX100 Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
79
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (240g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
65
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Travel photography camera
72
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery life (240 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
79
lighter than average (240g)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography details
Sony RX100 Landscape photography details
54
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
74
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 as a Vlogging camera
36
really wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
38
pretty wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (240g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX100
 Pentax WG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Type Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-07-19 2012-08-28
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.40 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 240 grams (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 390
Other
Battery life 240 images 330 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $300 $448