Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500
90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


91 Imaging
43 Features
56 Overall
48
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax WG-3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The full galleries are available at Pentax WG-3 Gallery & Sony WX500 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | July 2013 | Fresher by 21 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony WX500
WG-3 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX500 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 | Sony 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 |