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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-P2
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2011
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty close but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-P1 was released 18 months prior to the WG-1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-P1 scores vs the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax WG-1

 E-P1 WG-1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus E-P1

 WG-1 E-P1 
IntroducedFebruary 2011July 2009Fresher by 18 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax WG-1

 E-P1 WG-1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P1 provides physical measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-P1 and the WG-1.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and WG-1 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing technical specs. The visual underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P1 and WG-1.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-P1 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax WG-1 will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older E-P1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
35
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Street photography camera
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography highlights
43
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
71
environment sealing
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
42
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P1
Vlogging with Pentax WG-1
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
25
relatively wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus PEN E-P1Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2009-07-29 2011-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $182 $350