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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
42
Features
43
Overall
42

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 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
  • Launched July 2013
Sony TX30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 141g - 96 x 59 x 15mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the TX30 (18MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was launched very close to the TX30 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony TX30 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the WG-3 matches up versus the TX30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony TX30

 WG-3 TX30 

Reasons to pick Sony TX30 over the Pentax WG-3

 TX30 WG-3 
Screen sizing3.3"3"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k460kSharper screen (+769k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony TX30

 WG-3 TX30 
LaunchedJuly 2013July 2013Same generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-3 comes with outside measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony TX30 has sizing of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Look at the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the WG-3 compared to the TX30.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 and TX30 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The photograph here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and TX30.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony TX30 to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography advice
Sony TX30 Portrait photography advice
41
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
38
focusing manually
MP count good (18MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3
Street photography with Sony TX30
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
64
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
46
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
environment proof
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Travel photography camera
72
weather proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery power (240 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
69
environment proof
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Landscape photography camera
54
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (240 shots)
51
focusing manually
decently wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3.3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
environment proof
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging highlights
Sony TX30 Vlogging highlights
36
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone port
34
decently wide (26mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony TX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony TX30
 Pentax WG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Category Waterproof Ultracompact
Launched 2013-07-19 2013-07-26
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-4.8
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3.3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.40 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 141 grams (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 96 x 59 x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $300 $230