Pentax WG-3 GPS Review

Feature Highlights

On this page we briefly describe a few of the Pentax WG-3's key highlights.

Digital Microscope Mode

On the front of the WG-3 you will find six LED lights which can be turned on to illuminate close-up subjects.  When combined with the camera's 1cm macro focus capability, you basically have a digital microscope which can magnify any object to more than life-size.  The LEDs can also be used to light up fish, bugs, or flowers in the regular macro mode.

Pentax WG-3 Front LEDs

Here's an example photo taken using the 1cm macro mode and the supplied macro stand.  The camera was placed on top of a penny, and here's the result (out-of-camera JPEG, scaled and cropped):

Sample 1cm Macro Photo

Even though the corners do get severely distorted, the WG-3's close-up modes can deliver some great photographs!

Self-Portrait Assist

The WG-3 also features an innovative mode in which it uses the lights around the lens to help you shoot a self-portrait.  In this mode, if your face is not in the center of the frame, a single LED will illuminate telling you in which direction you need to tilt the camera.  Once all of the LEDs light up, you'll know that your face is centered!  This feature is inherited from the WG-2.

Infrared Ports

The WG-3 features a front and a rear infrared remote control port (compatible with the Remote Control F and O-RC1) for easy remote control shooting when on a tripod.

Shake Reduction

The WG-3 is the first outdoor Pentax compact to feature sensor-shift shake reduction.  The sensor is able to float freely between a number of magnets inside the camera body.  This mehanical system stabilizes the sensor and can compensate for about two stops of camera shake, meaning that a photo that would normally need to be taken at 1/60s in order to be sharp can now be taken at around 1/15s.  Thanks to the shake reduction system, we were able to obtain decent hand-held images at the camera's minimum shutter speed of 1/4s.

Electronic Level

To help you capture photos with straight horizons, the WG-3 has a built-in dual-axis electronic level.  When enabled, two bars are displayed on the right side of the live view display.  Once both bars are green, you'll know that you're holding the camera perfectly-level!

WG-3 Electronic Level

Improved Waterproofing

Thanks to an improved design, the WG-3 is rated to be waterproof down to a depth of 14 meters (its predecessor was waterproof to 12 meters).  It can also withstand over 100 kg of force.  This places the WG-3 at the top of its class as far as ruggedness goes.

WG-3 Waterproofing

Wi-Fi Card Support

The WG-3 natively supports memory cards with built-in Wi-Fi, such as Eye-Fi.  These cards allow you to transfer files to your computer without having to remove the memory card or connect the USB cable.

Qi Wireless Recharging (WG-3 GPS Only)

A Qi charging mat can be used to charge the WG-3 GPS.  If you have such a mat and you also decide to pick up an Eye-Fi card, you will never have to open your camera's battery door, thus prolonging the life of the door's rubber seal!

GPS Module and Electronic Compass (WG-3 GPS Only)

The WG-3 GPS's built-in GPS module is able to synchronize the camera's clock, store track information, and geotag your photos.  The GPS module also includes an electronic compass which can be accessed by pressing the OK button while the camera is on:

WG-3 Electronic Compass

This feature will undoubtedly come in handy for hikers and campers!  It is new to the WG-3.

Pressure Sensor (WG-3 GPS Only)

Pentax have also given the WG-3 GPS a pressure sensor, which can be used to display the air pressure, relative height, or relative depth.  This information is shown on the front LCD as well as on the live view display.

Pentax WG-3 Pressure Sensor

We find that the WG-3 GPS is the most adventure-ready Pentax camera to date thanks to the bonus features that Pentax have decided to include in addition to the GPS module!


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