Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX30

Cameras
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung NX30

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Pentax WG-2 GPS Review.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX30 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX30 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX30.
Compare Samsung NX30 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX30 conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax WG-2 GPS advantages over Samsung NX30

Less expensive
$400 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Waterproof
Yes vs No
Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
30 mm vs 41 mm
Thinner

Samsung NX30 advantages over Pentax WG-2 GPS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

360 vs 260 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 1.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX30 User Reviews

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All WG-2 GPS Deals

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Buy the Samsung NX30

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax WG-2 GPS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax WG-2 GPS First Shots

Very good image quality at low to moderately high ISOs; Blazing fast single-shot autofocus; Fast 9fps burst with RAW and JPEG files; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC; Good build quality; Tilting EVF; Articulating touchscreen monitor; Bundled with Adobe Lightroom 5 software; Excellent value.
Dynamic range not as good as the best APS-C models; Slow buffer clearing even with fast UHS-I cards; Buffer depth with RAW files is underwhelming; Native lens selection is still fairly limited.
Read our Samsung NX30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax WG-2

Pentax WG-2 GPS

Pentax WG-2

$330
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS

$199
1/2.3 inch

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Pentax WG-2

Samsung NX30

Pentax WG-2

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$199
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Pentax WG-2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Pentax WG-2 GPS

Fujifilm X-T1

$330
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T1

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Pentax WG-2 GPS

Olympus TG-850

$330
1/2.3 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Built-in GPS

$249
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Olympus TG-850

Samsung NX30

Olympus TG-850

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$249
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Ricoh WG-30w

Pentax WG-2 GPS

Ricoh WG-30w

$330
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
More dots on screen

$450
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Ricoh WG-30w

Samsung NX30

Ricoh WG-30w

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$450
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Ricoh WG-30w

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Pentax WG-2 GPS

Fujifilm X-T10

$330
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Fujifilm X-T10

Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T10

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Samsung NX30 vs Fujifilm X-T10

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