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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 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
  • Introduced July 2013
Sony WX9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 56 x 20mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the WX9 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was introduced 2 years later than the WX9 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony WX9 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a short view of how the WG-3 grades versus the WX9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony WX9

 WG-3 WX9 
IntroducedJuly 2013January 2011More recent by 31 months
Manual focus Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX9 over the Pentax WG-3

 WX9 WG-3 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony WX9

 WG-3 WX9 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-3 features outer measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony WX9 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the WG-3 vs the WX9.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 and WX9 is 90 and 99 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and WX9.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you should expect similar quality of images but you will want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more modern WG-3 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
Sony WX9 Portrait photography info
41
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
good resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Street photography highlights
Sony WX9 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
59
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-3
Sports photography with Sony WX9
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (240 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography details
Sony WX9 Travel photography details
72
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3
Landscape photography with Sony WX9
54
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery pack (240 shots)
43
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-3
Vlogging with Sony WX9
36
pretty wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
33
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony WX9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Sony WX9
 Pentax WG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
Type Waterproof Ultracompact
Introduced 2013-07-19 2011-01-06
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 pounds) -
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 56 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $300 $188