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Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A9 III

The Pentax WG-8 and the Sony Alpha A9 III are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in June 2024 and November 2023. The WG-8 is a fixed lens compact, while the A9 III is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (WG-8) and a full frame (A9 III) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Pentax WG-8
versus
Sony A9 III
Pentax WG-8   Sony A9 III
Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 Sony E mount lenses
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 24 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video 4K/120p Video
ISO 125-6,400 ISO 250-25,600 (125 - 51,200)
No viewfinder, LCD framing Electronic viewfinder (9440k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.2" LCD – 2100k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fully flexible touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second 120 shutter flaps per second
no shake reductionIn-body stabilization
Waterproof body (20m)Weathersealed body
340 shots per battery charge530 shots per battery charge
118 x 66 x 33 mm, 242 g 136 x 97 x 83 mm, 702 g
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Check WG-8 price at
amazon.com
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Check A9 III price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony Alpha A9 III? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony A9 III are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The WG-8 can be obtained in two different colors (black, green), while the A9 III is only available in black.

Size Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A9 III
Compare WG-8 versus A9 III top
Comparison WG-8 or A9 III rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A9 III is considerably larger (69 percent) than the Pentax WG-8. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments. More than that, the WG-8 is water-proof up to 20m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the WG-8 has a lens built in, whereas the A9 III is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the A9 III and their specifications in the Sony FE Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the WG-8 gets 340 shots out of its Ricoh DB-110 battery, while the A9 III can take 530 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FZ100 power pack. The power pack in the A9 III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax WG-8 118 mm 66 mm 33 mm 242 g 340 Y Jun 2024 US$ 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Sony A9 III 136 mm 97 mm 83 mm 702 g 530 Y Nov 2023 US$ 5 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX720 110 mm 64 mm 36 mm 270 g 250 n Feb 2016 US$ 379ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon W300 112 mm 66 mm 29 mm 231 g 280 Y May 2017 US$ 389ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic TS7 117 mm 76 mm 37 mm 319 g 300 Y May 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000 116 mm 69 mm 51 mm 220 g 300 Y Jun 2024 US$ 229 amazon.com
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6 118 mm 66 mm 33 mm 246 g 340 Y Feb 2019 US$ 399 amazon.com
8.
 
Sony A1 129 mm 97 mm 81 mm 737 g 530 Y Jan 2021 US$ 6 499 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 US$ 1 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A7 III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 610 Y Feb 2018 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A9 127 mm 96 mm 63 mm 673 g 650 Y Apr 2017 US$ 4 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A9 II 129 mm 96 mm 76 mm 678 g 690 Y Oct 2019 US$ 4 499 amazon.com
13.
 
Sony HX80 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 390 n Mar 2016 US$ 349ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX90V 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 360 n Apr 2015 US$ 429ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX95 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 US$ 429ebay.com
16.
 
Sony HX99 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
17.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 US$ 399ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The WG-8 was launched at a lower price than the A9 III, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Pentax WG-8 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Sony A9 III a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A9 III is 2925 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.0. The sensor in the WG-8 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A9 III offers a 3:2 aspect.

Pentax WG-8 and Sony A9 III sensor measures

With 24MP, the A9 III offers a higher resolution than the WG-8 (20.2MP), but the A9 III nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 1.18μm for the WG-8) due to its larger sensor. However, the WG-8 is a somewhat more recent model (by 6 months) than the A9 III, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the WG-8 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A9 III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A9 III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax WG-8 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A9 III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Pentax WG-8 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A9 III are ISO 250 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 125-51200.

In terms of underlying technology, the WG-8 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A9 III uses a Stacked CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

WG-8 versus A9 III MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax WG-8 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.912.8162654
2.
 
Sony A9 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/120p25.414.7324396
3.
 
Canon SX720 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.881748
4.
 
Nikon W300 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.512.093850
5.
 
Panasonic TS7 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1102851
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.912.8162654
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.712.2110452
8.
 
Sony A1 Full Frame 49.8 8640 57608k/30p25.914.5316398
9.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
10.
 
Sony A7 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7373096
11.
 
Sony A9 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.913.3351792
12.
 
Sony A9 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.0343493
13.
 
Sony HX80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.411.882248
14.
 
Sony HX90V 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.211.673847
15.
 
Sony HX95 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105751
16.
 
Sony HX99 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105851
17.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the A9 III provides a faster frame rate than the WG-8. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/120p, while the Pentax is limited to 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A9 III has an electronic viewfinder (9440k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the WG-8 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Pentax WG-8, the Sony A9 III, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Pentax WG-8none n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A9 III9440 n3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/80000s 120.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon SX720none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Nikon W300none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Panasonic TS71170 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/1300s 10.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000none n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 8.0/s Y n
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6none n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 1.0/s Y n
8.
 
Sony A19437 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
10.
 
Sony A7 III2359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A93686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
12.
 
Sony A9 II3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
13.
 
Sony HX80638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony HX90V638 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony HX95638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony HX99638 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The WG-8 has one, while the A9 III does not. While the built-in flash of the WG-8 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The A9 III has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the WG-8 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Pentax WG-8 and the Sony A9 III both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The WG-8 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A9 III uses CFexpress (type A) or SDXC cards. The A9 III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the WG-8 only has one slot. The A9 III supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the WG-8 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Pentax WG-8 and Sony Alpha A9 III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax WG-8-mono / mono---3.0---
2.
 
Sony A9 IIIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Canon SX720-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Nikon W300-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Panasonic TS7-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000-mono / mono---2.0---
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6-mono / mono--micro3.0---
8.
 
Sony A1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
9.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony A7 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
11.
 
Sony A9Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
12.
 
Sony A9 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
13.
 
Sony HX80-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony HX90V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony HX95-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
16.
 
Sony HX99-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
17.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-

It is notable that the A9 III offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the WG-8 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A9 III (unlike the WG-8) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the WG-8 and the A9 III are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The A9 III replaced the earlier Sony A9 II, while the WG-8 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Pentax and Sony websites.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Pentax WG-8 better than the Sony A9 III or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Arguments in favor of the Pentax WG-8:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the A9 III requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (118x66mm vs 136x97mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the A9 III).
  • Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 20m).
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 6 months after the A9 III).

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha A9 III:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 20.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 11%.
  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/120p versus 4K/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1040k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/80000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (120 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (530 versus 340) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-II standard.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in November 2023).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A9 III is the clear winner of the contest (30 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

WG-8 08:30 A9 III

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony A9 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the WG-8 and the A9 III in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax WG-8............ Jun 2024 US$ 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Sony A9 III4.5/5....91/100.... Nov 2023 US$ 5 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX720..+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2016 US$ 379ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon W300..+....4/54/5 May 2017 US$ 389ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic TS7..+......3.5/5 May 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000............ Jun 2024 US$ 229 amazon.com
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6........3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2019 US$ 399 amazon.com
8.
 
Sony A15/5o4.5/593/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2021 US$ 6 499 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 US$ 1 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A7 III..+ +4.5/589/1005/55/5 Feb 2018 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A95/5+ +4.8/589/1005/55/5 Apr 2017 US$ 4 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A9 II....5/590/1005/55/5 Oct 2019 US$ 4 499 amazon.com
13.
 
Sony HX80............ Mar 2016 US$ 349ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX90V4/5+ +....4/54.5/5 Apr 2015 US$ 429ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX95............ Aug 2018 US$ 429ebay.com
16.
 
Sony HX99........4/54.5/5 Aug 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
17.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 US$ 399ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Check WG-8 price at
amazon.com
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Check A9 III price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A9 III

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Pentax WG-8 Sony A9 III
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date June 2024 November 2023
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 5,999
    Sensor Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A9 III
    Sensor Technology CMOS Stacked CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 35.6 x 23.8 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 847.28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 42.8 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3888 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.18 μm 5.94 μm
    Pixel Density 71.80 MP/cm2 2.83 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 4K/120p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 6,400 ISO 250 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 125 - 51,200 ISO
    Screen Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A9 III
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.9x
    Viewfinder Resolution 9440k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 2100k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fully flexible screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A9 III
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/80000s
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s 120 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/4000sup to 1/80000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image Stabilizationno shake reductionIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CFexA or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A9 III
    External Flash no Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 3.2
    HDMI Port no HDMI full HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A9 III
    Environmental SealingWaterproof body (20m)Weathersealed body
    Battery Type Ricoh DB-110 Sony NP-FZ100
    Battery Life (CIPA)340 shots per charge530 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 118 x 66 x 33 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.3 in)
    136 x 97 x 83 mm
    (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.3 in)
    Camera Weight 242 g (8.5 oz) 702 g (24.8 oz)
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    Check WG-8 price at
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    Check A9 III price at
    amazon.com

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