Olympus E-P5 vs Pentax WG-1

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-P5 and Pentax WG-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-P5 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-P5 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-P5 was revealed 2 years after the WG-1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-P5 grades vs the WG-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-P5 & Pentax Optio WG-1. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-P5 Gallery & Pentax WG-1 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-P5 features physical measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P5 and Pentax WG-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-P5 versus the WG-1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P5 and WG-1 is 85 and 93 respectively.

More often than not, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P5 and WG-1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-P5 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-P5 will produce more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-P5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.