Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65


90 Imaging
39 Features
44 Overall
41
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Launched October 2013
- Updated by Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Introduced July 2013

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview
Here is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is very close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and WG-3 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

The E-M1 was released 4 months later than the WG-3 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera.
Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-M1 scores versus the WG-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Pentax WG-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Pentax WG-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax WG-3
E-M1 | WG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+577k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Olympus E-M1
WG-3 | E-M1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax WG-3
E-M1 | WG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2013 | ![]() | July 2013 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 has got exterior dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 has proportions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-M1 vs the WG-3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and WG-3 is 71 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The visual below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and WG-3.
To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 features the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field easier.

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax WG-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax WG-3 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Waterproof |
Launched | 2013-10-28 | 2013-07-19 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePIC VII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,037k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 3.40 m |
Flash modes | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/320 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 497g (1.10 lbs) | 230g (0.51 lbs) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 73 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 757 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 240 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLN-1 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $799 | $300 |