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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 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 WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Older Model is Sony WX350
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was revealed 21 months earlier than the WX500 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the WG-3 grades vs the WX500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony WX500

 WG-3 WX500 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Pentax WG-3

 WX500 WG-3 
IntroducedApril 2015July 2013Fresher by 21 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony WX500

 WG-3 WX500 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-3 has external dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the WG-3 compared to the WX500.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-3 and WX500 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The graphic below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-3 and WX500.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony WX500 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older WG-3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
Sony WX500 Portrait photography info
41
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
39
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography advice
Sony WX500 Street photography advice
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (236 grams)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Sports photography features
Sony WX500 Sports photography features
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (240 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery life (360 per charge)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography advice
Sony WX500 Travel photography advice
72
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
great battery life (360 shots)
lighter than others (236g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography advice
Sony WX500 Landscape photography advice
54
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
49
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
great battery life (360 per charge)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging details
Sony WX500 Vlogging details
36
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
35
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (236g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony WX500
 Pentax WG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-07-19 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.40 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lbs) 236 gr (0.52 lbs)
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 Overall 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 shots 360 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $300 $348