Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550
90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced July 2013
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Revealed July 2011
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 Overview
Here, we are reviewing the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe WG-3 was released 2 years later than the W550 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the WG-3 scores against the W550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax WG-3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-3 Gallery and Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony W550
WG-3 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2013 | July 2011 | Fresher by 25 months | |
Manually focus | Very precise focusing | |||
Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Pentax WG-3
W550 | WG-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony W550
WG-3 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display dimensions | |
Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 offers physical 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 W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Compare the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-3 vs the W550.
Using size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 and W550 is 90 and 96 respectively.
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 and W550.
As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-3 to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The younger WG-3 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony W550 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax WG-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Type | Waterproof | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2013-07-19 | 2011-07-24 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.40 m | 3.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 230g (0.51 lb) | 110g (0.24 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 photos | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI92 | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | - |
Retail price | $300 | $119 |