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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P5
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2011
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very similar but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-P3 was manufactured 7 months after the WG-1 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-P3 grades against the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax WG-1

 E-P3 WG-1 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2011Newer by 7 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kSharper display (+384k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus E-P3

 WG-1 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax WG-1

 E-P3 WG-1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P3 offers physical measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst 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).

Look at the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-P3 vs the WG-1.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and WG-1 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and WG-1.

Plainly, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-P3 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax WG-1 will offer you extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-P3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography advice
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
35
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Street photography highlights
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch focus
screen is fixed
54
weather proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have phase detect AF
37
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography details
60
includes touch focus
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
71
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography factors
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
missing Time Lapse function
42
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging details
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging details
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus PEN E-P3Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2011-08-17 2011-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369 gr (0.81 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $0 $350