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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Launched July 2014
Sony WX30
(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
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the WX30 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was unveiled 3 years after the WX30 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX30 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the XG-1 grades vs the WX30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony WX30

 XG-1 WX30 
IntroducedJuly 2014July 2011Newer by 37 months
Focus manually Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Pentax XG-1

 WX30 XG-1 
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX30

 XG-1 WX30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 has physical measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony WX30 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the XG-1 and the WX30.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and WX30 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading technical specs. The pic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and WX30.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you should expect similar quality of photos although you would want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent XG-1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Portrait photography camera
40
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
30
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography details
Sony WX30 Street photography details
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
Sony WX30 Sports photography advice
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Travel photography camera
52
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others (117g)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
43
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX30 as a Vlogging camera
25
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
35
decently wide (25mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (117g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX30
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-07-15 2011-07-25
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - XtraFine TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.70 m
Flash options Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction 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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
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 images 250 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $599 $259