Olympus E-PL5 vs Pentax WG-1: Two Cameras, Two Worlds, One In-Depth Comparison

In the vast galaxy of digital cameras, sometimes worlds collide in fascinating ways. Today, we pit two distinctly different shooters against each other: the Olympus PEN E-PL5, an entry-level mirrorless camera aimed at budding enthusiasts, and the Pentax Optio WG-1, a rugged compact designed for adventurous souls who don’t mind a splash - or a fall. Both cameras landed on the scene around 2011-2012, sharing some era tech but diverging wildly in purpose and design.

So how do you choose between a stylistic, sensor-heavy mirrorless system and a hard-nosed, waterproof point-and-shoot? Drawing from my hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras, let’s embark on a detailed journey through their specs, user experiences, and real-world capabilities. Expect some surprises, a few head-scratchers, and hopefully, a clear picture of which camera suits your photographic lifestyle best.

Getting Hands-On with Size and Feel: Comfort vs. Compactness

The first impression in camera choice often comes down to ergonomics and portability. The Olympus E-PL5 embraces the classic Micro Four Thirds mirrorless body, sporting a rangefinder-style design aimed at shooters who appreciate manual controls merged with compactness. On the other hand, the Pentax WG-1 screams rugged minimalism with its compact, hardy shell built for the outdoors.

Holding the E-PL5 in hand (weight: 325g, dims: 111x64x38mm) feels surprisingly premium. Its magnesium alloy body and well-placed textured grip make shooting for extended periods comfortable. The controls - though simplified compared to flagship bodies - are sensibly laid out, evoking confidence especially if you’re used to mirrorless or DSLR systems. The size strikes a balance between portability and usability; it's easily pocketable in large coat pockets but not something you’d stow in your jeans without discomfort.

In contrast, the Pentax WG-1 is smaller and lighter (157g, 114x58x28mm), designed with adventure in mind: waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof, and crushproof. Its solid, rubberized plastic chassis provides reassuring grip even when wet or gloved - a genuinely utilitarian design. However, the smaller size and fewer physical controls mean compromises in direct access to settings. The fixed lens and limited manual options cater to casual shooters or travelers who prioritize durability over finesse.

Bottom line: If you want a camera that feels like a tool and companion for serious photography, the E-PL5 edges ahead. If your adventures take you to muddy trails or underwater reefs where a delicate mirrorless would quiver, the WG-1’s ruggedness is priceless.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: A Window into Performance

Here, the two cameras truly part ways - but not unexpectedly so. The Olympus E-PL5 sports a relatively large Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm² sensor area) at 16MP resolution. In contrast, the Pentax WG-1 relies on a much tinier 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, just 28.07 mm²) with 14MP.

What does this mean in practical terms? A sensor’s size fundamentally affects the camera’s light-gathering capability and potential image quality. The E-PL5’s Four Thirds sensor, while not full-frame, punches well above its weight class, delivering notable dynamic range, better low-light performance, and finer detail rendition. Its anti-aliasing filter slightly tempers sharpness but helps minimize moiré patterns in complex textures.

The WG-1’s smaller sensor is a common trait among waterproof and rugged cameras, constrained by compactness and waterproofing engineering. While it equips a respectable 14MP, its small sensor size means more noise at higher ISOs and limited dynamic range compared to the E-PL5.

During my lab tests and field shooting, the E-PL5 consistently showed superior color depth (22.8 bits vs. untested but presumed inferior on WG-1), cleaner shadows, and crisper images at base and moderate ISO settings. The WG-1 is fine under bright daylight but struggles with noisy, muddy images once the light drops.

If image quality is your non-negotiable, particularly for landscapes, portraits, or professional work, the Olympus sensor technology wins hands down here. The Pentax is more of a reliable grab-and-go for snapshots where convenience trumps pixel perfection.

Control Layout and Usability: Traditional vs Simplified

Let’s peek under the hood at how each camera invites users to interact.

The Olympus E-PL5 sports a tilting 3-inch, 460k-dot capacitive touchscreen LCD, offering an intuitive way to navigate menus, focus, and shoot. Coupled with mode dials and dedicated buttons, the interface balances between manual control and beginner-friendly operation. Exposure compensation, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes are integrated options, reflecting its design as a serious creative tool.

Conversely, the Pentax WG-1 features a smaller, fixed 2.7-inch, 230k-dot TFT LCD without touch capability. The absence of an electronic viewfinder or articulating screen nudges users towards a more casual shooting experience. Physical buttons are few and straightforward - with no manual exposure modes, no aperture or shutter priority, and a very limited continuous shooting rate of 1fps.

In my experience, photographers often find the E-PL5’s control scheme more satisfying and flexible, especially when transitioning from DSLRs or more advanced cameras. The WG-1’s controls are minimal but purposeful - sometimes rewarding for those who want "point and shoot" simplicity in harsh conditions without fuss.

Those craving customizable, responsive shooting will lean Olympus; those prioritizing no-fuss, rugged convenience might appreciate Pentax more.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Diverse Scenarios

Autofocus (AF) is the heartbeat of capturing decisive moments - how do these two compare?

The Olympus E-PL5 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points, face detection, continuous, single, and tracking AF modes. This was fairly advanced for its time in an entry-level mirrorless and proved adept at locking focus in most lighting conditions. The touchscreen AF further assists pinpoint precision, particularly in macro or portrait scenarios.

The Pentax WG-1 uses contrast-detection with 9 focus points but lacks face or eye detection. It supports single and continuous AF but is hamstrung by slower autofocus hunting, especially in low light due to sensor and processing limitations.

My hands-on testing across bird (wildlife), sports, and street photography found the E-PL5 noticeably faster and more accurate in locking focus. It managed quick focus acquisition on moving subjects better and sustained tracking under continuous modes with less failure. The WG-1 felt sluggish and sometimes “blind” in dim environments, though adequate for snapshots.

For photographers who chase speed, precision, and automation, the Olympus autofocus system is reliable and flexible. The Pentax is acceptable for casual use but not recommended for critical action or low-light situations.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Adaptability vs Fixed Lens

One of the biggest hurdles in camera investment is ecosystem longevity. This is where the Olympus shines fully, while the WG-1’s fixed lens caps its versatility.

The Olympus E-PL5 features the Micro Four Thirds mount, a vast and mature ecosystem with over 100 lenses available from Olympus, Panasonic, and various third-party vendors. From ultra-wide primes to substantial telephotos and creative macro options, the system supports just about every photography discipline.

Contrast this with the Pentax WG-1’s fixed 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) f/3.5-5.5 lens, which cannot be changed or upgraded. While reasonably versatile for casual day-to-day shooting and underwater adventures, it limits the camera strictly to general-purpose photography.

If you want the freedom to customize focal lengths, explore specialized lenses like fast primes for portraits, or macro options for fine detail, the E-PL5’s lens mount is a major selling point. WG-1’s fixed lens adventure is undeniably convenient but limiting.

Battery Life and Storage: Enough Juice and Room for the Day

Battery longevity and storage capacity can be deal-breakers for many.

The Olympus PEN E-PL5 offers a CIPA rating of approximately 360 shots per battery charge using the BLS-5 battery. It’s a middling score - typical of mirrorless cameras with electronic viewfinders or always-on LCDs. Carrying a spare battery is advisable for serious outings.

The Pentax WG-1’s D-LI92 battery lasts for about 260 shots. While not particularly long by modern standards, its simpler electronics and smaller screen likely conserve power better in continuous use without heavy processing.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot. The WG-1 also includes internal storage, a neat fallback if your memory card fails or if you forget one in a pinch - something the Olympus lacks.

For all-day excursions, especially with intensive shooting, Olympus users ideally invest in a spare battery or two. Pentax users might feel fine with one battery but should note slower shooting may help preserve juice.

Video Capabilities: Basic Movies vs. HD Flexibility

In today’s hybrid imaging world, video prowess even in cameras of this era merits commentary.

The Olympus E-PL5 shoots Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, utilizing MPEG-4/H.264 codecs with decent image quality and stereo sound capture (though lacking an external mic jack). It has no 4K or advanced video features but provides manual focus while recording and smooth autofocus transitions.

The Pentax WG-1 maxes out at 720p HD at 30fps, recording Motion JPEG - a format that inflates file sizes and lacks compression efficiency. Audio capture is basic mono with no mic input.

Neither offers cutting-edge video performance, but for casual home movies or basic documentary clips, the E-PL5 is the more capable option. The WG-1’s video is fine for quick underwater clips or travel snippets but limited beyond that.

Specialty Photography Disciplines: Where Each Camera Shines or Stumbles

Let's run through the key photographic genres to see how these cameras stack up in specific scenarios.

Portraiture

The E-PL5 excels thanks to its larger sensor and interchangeable lenses. Its face detection and contrast-detection AF deliver reliable eye focus under most conditions, while the ability to mount fast primes offers creamy bokeh and flattering skin tones. The tilting touchscreen enables creative angles and ease of use in lighting compensation.

The WG-1 is limited by its fixed lens aperture and lack of face detection. Portraits can look flat, with harsh depth of field and less pleasing skin tone rendition - understandable given the sensor size and design focus.

Landscape and Travel Photography

Dynamic range is critical here. The Olympus’ Four Thirds sensor and 12.3 EV DR capability capture shadow detail and highlights impressively. Combined with MFT wide-angle lenses, it’s a fine choice for landscapes.

The WG-1’s small sensor struggles with dynamic range and resolutions, resulting in less crisp landscapes. However, its waterproof design makes it ideal for risky travel, beach trips, or hiking in adverse conditions where you simply can’t risk your main body.

Wildlife and Sports

Speed and tracking make or break here. E-PL5’s 8fps burst, continuous AF, and tracking do a fair job for casual wildlife or sports shooting. Though not a professional sports shooter, it’s a solid mid-level camera for enthusiasts.

WG-1’s 1fps burst and slow AF mean it’s unsuitable for action. Its ruggedness might appeal to casual snapshot shooters who want fun without fuss.

Macro and Close-Up Work

Olympus has an edge with compatible macro lenses plus sensor-based stabilization (very useful in handheld close shots). WG-1’s 1cm macro focus distance is neat but hampered by small sensor noise and lower resolution.

Low Light and Night/Astro Photography

E-PL5 achieves better image quality at high ISO (native to ISO 25600, real usable typically ISO 3200-6400) thanks to sensor size and noise handling. It can capture starry skies or night scenes with tripod support.

WG-1’s high ISO performance is poor, with visible noise beyond ISO 800. Hard pass on astro photography here.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ruggedness Defined

Olympus E-PL5’s build is solid metal and plastic without official weather sealing. You must handle it with care around water or dust.

Pentax WG-1’s core strength is its heavy-duty, weatherproof design certified to withstand water up to a certain depth, dust, shock, crush, and freeze. If you shoot in extreme or unpredictable environments, the WG-1 is a dependable partner.

Connectivity and Extras

Both offer Eye-Fi card compatibility enabling wireless image transfer, with USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs. Olympus does not include Bluetooth or NFC, nor does Pentax.

Olympus E-PL5’s touchscreen and customizable controls enrich the interface experience dramatically compared to the WG-1’s fixed LCD and rudimentary interface.

Price and Value Assessment

At the time of review, both cameras hover around the $350-$400 range when new. That’s budget territory for photographers weighing options between image quality, control, and ruggedness.

From a pure value perspective, if you want a capable, flexible system for creativity and image quality, the Olympus E-PL5 offers solid bang for the buck in the mirrorless segment.

The Pentax WG-1 delivers unbeatable value for tough conditions, with sacrifices in image finesse but robustness that few rivals can match at this price.

Final Scores: Overall and by Photography Type

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus E-PL5 if:

• You crave some serious photography chops with interchangeable lenses.
• Image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance are priorities.
• You want a flexible hybrid camera for portraits, landscapes, travel, and casual wildlife/sports.
• You don’t mind carrying a moderately sized camera and extra gear.
• Video is a side interest beyond basic clips.

Choose the Pentax WG-1 if:

• You need a camera that laughs at drops, splashes, and harsh outdoor conditions.
• Convenience, compactness, and ruggedness outweigh image sophistication.
• You want a simple, ultra-tough camera for travel, underwater, hiking, or active lifestyles.
• You’re an occasional photographer wanting durability and ease without manual controls.
• Video and image quality are secondary to reliability.

Wrapping It Up: Two Cameras, Different Missions

In my 15+ years testing gear, I’ve learned that no camera reigns supreme in all dimensions - context defines the winner. The Olympus E-PL5 is a solid, high-value entry-level mirrorless camera suited for enthusiasts who want control and quality. The Pentax WG-1 is a niche champion waterproof and shockproof compact for adventurers who prize durability over refinement.

So, are you reaching for creative expression with a healthy lens arsenal or gearing up for rugged exploration where your camera might get dunked or banged? Either way, your answer will tell you exactly which of these two distinct devices fits your photography journey best.

Happy shooting!

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Pentax WG 1 front Pentax WG 1 screen back