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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
58
Overall
65

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R 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
  • Released July 2013
Sony RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Replacement is Sony RX1R II
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX1R, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the WG-3 (16MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the WG-3 (1/2.3") and RX1R (Full frame) offer totally different sensor size.

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The WG-3 was launched very close to the RX1R so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the WG-3 scores against the RX1R in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony RX1R

 WG-3 RX1R 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Pentax WG-3

 RX1R WG-3 
Display resolution1229k460kCrisper display (+769k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX1R

 WG-3 RX1R 
LaunchedJuly 2013June 2013Similar generation
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 provides exterior dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony RX1R has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check out the Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX1R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the WG-3 against the RX1R.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and RX1R is 90 and 79 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over a spec sheet. The visual below may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 and RX1R.

As you can see, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The WG-3 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony RX1R will offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a bit more aggressively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
82
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/4,000s)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography information
Sony RX1R Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
66
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography details
Sony RX1R Sports photography details
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (240 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
53
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (270 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Travel photography camera
72
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
62
megapixel count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
very good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (482 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Landscape photography camera
54
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery pack (240 shots)
66
you can focus manually
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3")
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (270 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1R as a Vlogging camera
36
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no microphone socket
34
very good max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (482 grams)
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony RX1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony RX1R
 Pentax WG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
Type Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Released 2013-07-19 2013-06-26
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.0
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/4000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lbs) 482 gr (1.06 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 91
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 2537
Other
Battery life 240 photos 270 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $300 $2,798