Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38


96 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax XG-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax XG-1 Gallery and Sony WX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony WX30
XG-1 | WX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer by 37 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus |
Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Pentax XG-1
WX30 | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+462k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX30
XG-1 | WX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX30 Specifications
Pentax XG-1 | Sony 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 |