• 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX5V advantages over Pentax WG-3 GPS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.62 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax WG-3 GPS advantages over Sony DSC-HX5V

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Eye-catching, aggressive styling; Digital Microscope mode with 6 LED ring light; Improved ruggedness; Front-panel monochrome LCD readout; Can power up via inductive charging.

  • Struggles in low-light situations despite bright f/2 max lens aperture; So-so image and video quality; User interface has steep learning curve; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Pentax WG-3 GPS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-H55

Sony DSC-HX5V
Sony DSC-H55
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • HDMI out
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX5V vs Sony DSC-H55

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sony DSC-H55
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony DSC-H55

Compared to Nikon S8100

Sony DSC-HX5V
Nikon S8100
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX5V vs Nikon S8100

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Nikon S8100
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Nikon S8100

Compared to Ricoh CX5

Sony DSC-HX5V
Ricoh CX5
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Wider angle lens
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Sony DSC-HX5V vs Ricoh CX5

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh CX5
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh CX5

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Sony DSC-HX5V
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSC-HX5V vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4

Sony DSC-HX5V
Ricoh WG-4
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSC-HX5V vs Ricoh WG-4

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4

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