• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Pentax WG-3

  • More telephoto lens reach
    384 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax WG-3 advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

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Buy the Pentax WG-3

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.

  • Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Sony DSC-HX9V
Panasonic ZS8
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Pentax WG-3
Panasonic ZS8
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony HX10V

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony HX10V
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
Pentax WG-3
Sony HX10V
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony H90

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony H90
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Pentax WG-3
Sony H90
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax WG-3 GPS

Sony DSC-HX9V
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax WG-3
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Sony DSC-HX9V
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax WG-3
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
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