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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
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-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was manufactured 8 months earlier than the WG-1 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the WG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax WG-1

 E-PL1 WG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 WG-1 E-PL1 
IntroducedFebruary 2011May 2010More recent by 8 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax WG-1

 E-PL1 WG-1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys physical dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the WG-1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and WG-1 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and WG-1.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax WG-1 will give you more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older E-PL1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography details
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
35
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Street photography camera
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography features
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography features
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
37
MP count good (14MP)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography details
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (290 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
71
environment sealing
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (290 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
42
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
MP count good (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
25
quite wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2010-05-17 2011-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
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
Total focus points 11 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 range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 334 grams (0.74 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 260 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $288 $350