Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax WG-2: An Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when options come from distinct segments of the photography market. The Olympus PEN E-PL7 and the Pentax Optio WG-2 cater to very different users but share a few characteristics that sometimes invite direct comparisons. With hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras in studio and field conditions, I’ve critically evaluated these two offerings to help you parse through their capabilities, performance, and real-world usability.

This comprehensive comparison cuts through marketing jargon and data sheets to provide you with practical insights on how these cameras perform across popular photography disciplines, including portrait, landscape, wildlife, macro, and video work. Whether you are a beginner photographer seeking an adaptable entry-level mirrorless system or an adventurous soul wanting a rugged waterproof companion, read on to see which camera truly matches your needs.

First Impressions and Design Insights

Before diving into their imaging prowess, how these cameras feel in hand - their ergonomics and layout - plays a fundamental role in long-term satisfaction.

Physical size and ergonomics comparison of Olympus E-PL7 and Pentax WG-2

The Olympus E-PL7 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with dimensions of 115 x 67 x 38 mm and weighs 357 grams. Its retro-modern aesthetic harks back to classic PEN series designs, with a slightly hefty grip and articulating 3-inch touchscreen. In contrast, the Pentax WG-2 is a waterproof compact measuring 122 x 61 x 30 mm and weighs a much lighter 192 grams, boasting a tough exterior suited for rugged environments.

I found the E-PL7 to be ergonomically superior for extended shooting sessions, thanks to its more substantial grip and thoughtfully placed buttons. The WG-2’s design favors compactness and durability rather than comfort, making it ideal for quick point-and-shoot situations especially outdoors or underwater.

Top view shows E-PL7’s more sophisticated control scheme versus the WG-2’s basic layout

The Olympus’s control layout includes dedicated dials, customizable function buttons, and a tilting touchscreen that enhances shooting from low or high angles - a feature missing in the Pentax. The WG-2’s controls are minimal, largely driven by menu navigation on a fixed LCD, which limits manual interaction but aligns with its rugged simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technical Breakdown

One of the most defining factors for image quality is the sensor technology and size.

• Olympus E-PL7: Uses a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm), with a sensor area of approximately 225 mm².
• Pentax WG-2: Houses a smaller 16MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), with a sensor area of only about 28 mm².

The E-PL7’s significantly larger sensor allows for better light gathering, higher dynamic range, and improved low-light performance. In practice, I observed smoother gradations in skin tones and more pristine shadow detail on the Olympus, essential for portrait and landscape photography. The WG-2’s sensor, constrained by size, tends to produce noisier results above ISO 400 and less detailed files.

Color depth on the E-PL7 reaches 22.7 bits, while Pentax did not have DXO testing data, reflecting industry trends where compact sensors typically offer inferior color fidelity.

For resolution, both offer 16MP files - 4608 x 3456 pixels for the E-PL7 and 4288 x 3216 pixels for the WG-2. While the megapixel counts are comparable, the E-PL7 maintains an edge in image clarity due to its sensor's physical dimensions and the quality of lens optics available through the Micro Four Thirds mount.

User Interface and Display: How You See Your Shots Matters

The Olympus E-PL7 features a 3-inch 1037k-dot tilting touchscreen - a boon for live view composition, menu navigation, and quick focusing with touch AF. I personally value this flexibility when shooting at tricky angles or when navigating menus fast in the field.

The Pentax WG-2 has a fixed 3-inch LCD with a modest 460k-dot resolution. While visibility in bright daylight benefits from its anti-reflective coating, the lack of touchscreen means more button presses, which can slow down shooting.

Neither camera has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), limiting in bright conditions, but the E-PL7 supports an optional Olympus EVF attachment, which can be indispensable for precise manual work or bright outdoor shooting.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

In camera testing, autofocus speed and accuracy are crucial, especially for wildlife and sports photography.

• Olympus E-PL7: Contrast-detect autofocus system with 81 focus points, including face and eye detection capabilities. Continuous shooting can reach up to 8 frames per second.
• Pentax WG-2: Contrast-detect focus with just 9 focus points, no eye-detection, and continuous shooting limited to 1 frame per second.

I verified that the E-PL7’s autofocus is much more responsive and precise, particularly in tracking subjects and working in live view. The eye-detection autofocus provides a tremendous advantage when shooting portraits, ensuring sharp focus on critical facial features.

By contrast, the WG-2’s autofocus is comparatively sluggish, acceptable for static scenes but frustrating for moving subjects. Its limited burst mode capabilities also restrict sports and wildlife action capture.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Flexibility

The Olympus E-PL7's Micro Four Thirds mount is a major strength, boasting over 107 native lenses, including primes, zooms, macro, and fast aperture models. This versatility suits photographers pursuing different genres without needing a lens change system or adapters.

Pentax WG-2 has a fixed 28-140mm (35mm-equivalent) f/3.5-5.5 zoom lens, which provides decent focal length flexibility but no option for swapping lenses or using manual focus lenses. Its closest macro focusing distance is an impressive 1cm, beneficial for tight close-ups.

If you want to explore portrait bokeh, wildlife telephoto reach, or wide scenic landscapes with specialized optics, the Olympus system far outpaces the fixed-lens WG-2.

Durability and Environmental Protection: Toughness Tested

Where the WG-2 shines is in ruggedness.

• Olympus E-PL7: No environmental sealing, nor weatherproofing.
• Pentax WG-2: Waterproof (up to 12m), shockproof (up to 1.5m drops), dustproof, crushproof, and freezeproof down to -10°C.

If your photography takes you into extreme conditions - diving, hiking in harsh weather, snow, or dusty environments - the WG-2 uniquely protects against these elements without added housing, something the Olympus simply does not offer.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance dramatically affects shooting duration on location.

• E-PL7: Rated for approximately 350 shots per charge with the BLS-50 battery.
• WG-2: Rated for about 260 shots per charge with the D-LI92 battery.

While neither camera is a marathon shooter by professional standards, the Olympus’s slightly longer battery life can make a difference in extended shooting days. Both use SD storage cards (SD/SDHC/SDXC), but the WG-2 also features internal storage, useful for emergency backups.

Video Features and Capabilities

Video shooting remains a key consideration for hybrid shooters.

• Olympus E-PL7: Full HD 1080p recording at 30fps, H.264 and Motion JPEG codecs, no mic or headphone ports.
• Pentax WG-2: Also shoots 1080p video at 30fps, plus 720p at 60fps, using MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs.

Neither camera offers advanced video features like 4K recording, high frame rates beyond 60fps, or external audio input. The Olympus’s touchscreen allows more intuitive framing during video, but overall, video is an ancillary function on both models.

Practical Use Cases: What Each Camera Does Best

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-PL7: Excellent skin tones, smooth bokeh from fast native lenses, and effective eye-detection autofocus deliver sharp, natural portraits. The sensor size and lens options offer beautiful subject isolation.
• Pentax WG-2: Limited by sensor size and fixed lens apertures, portraits appear flatter with less background separation. Good for casual snapshots but not for serious portraiture.

Landscape Photography

• E-PL7: Better dynamic range, higher resolution, and tilt screen aid composing diverse landscapes. The lens ecosystem allows ultra-wide and telephoto options.
• WG-2: Compact and waterproof, perfect for adventurous landscapes in challenging weather, albeit with images that have less fine detail and tonal gradation.

Wildlife and Sports

• Olympus E-PL7: Superior autofocus speed, tracking accuracy, and faster burst rates make it suited for moderate wildlife and sports. Able to pair with telephotos.
• WG-2: Limited to slow AF and 1 fps shooting, not ideal for capturing fast action but durable enough for rugged environments.

Street and Travel Photography

• E-PL7: A bit bulkier, but its quiet operation, tilting screen, and compact lenses make for discrete capture.
• WG-2: Highly portable and forgiving in rough travel conditions like beaches or hikes where equipment safety is a concern.

Macro Photography

• Olympus E-PL7: Access to specialized macro lenses and sensor stabilization allows sharp close-ups with bokeh control.
• WG-2: Macro mode gets as close as 1cm, great for casual macro shots in nature or underwater.

Night and Astro Photography

• E-PL7: Larger sensor, better ISO performance (native up to 25600), and customizable exposure modes make it capable for low-light and astro work.
• WG-2: Smaller sensor struggles with noise above ISO 400, not recommended for night photography.

Video Use

Both cameras are entry-level for video, but the Olympus’s touchscreen and autofocus provide a smoother experience for casual filmmaking.

Price and Value Analysis

At launch, the Olympus E-PL7 was priced around $499, reflecting its advanced imaging features and interchangeable lens system. The Pentax WG-2 came in lower at roughly $350, emphasizing ruggedness over imaging specs.

The extra investment in the E-PL7 buys you versatile optics, better image quality, and a refined shooting experience. The WG-2 offers niche advantages in durability and simplicity but compromises on photographic flexibility.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus E-PL7 if you:

• Want a flexible system suitable for a wide range of advanced photography genres including portrait, landscape, and wildlife.
• Need better autofocus, manual control, and access to a rich lens ecosystem.
• Plan on shooting in controlled or mild conditions without extreme weather concerns.
• Desire better still image quality and more creative control.

Pick the Pentax WG-2 if you:

• Need a rugged, waterproof camera for adventure, hiking, diving, or harsh weather use.
• Prefer a simple, reliable point-and-shoot camera without swapping lenses.
• Are willing to trade off image quality for durability and ease of use.
• Require good macro close-up capability straight out of the box.

Final Thoughts: Expert Experience and Buying Guidance

While these cameras are not direct competitors in a typical sense - the Olympus E-PL7 is a compact system camera, the WG-2 an ultra-tough compact - they occasionally encounter the same budgets or user considerations. In my hands-on testing environments, the Olympus consistently produced images with richer detail, enhanced color fidelity, and creative versatility due to its sensor and lens system. The touchscreen and faster autofocus also improved workflow fluidity.

Conversely, the WG-2’s environmental sealing is unmatched in this pairing, keeping your gear safe amid real-world hazards. However, be mindful that its small sensor and limited optics mean compromised image quality, making it a niche choice rather than an all-around performer.

For anyone serious about evolving their photography skills or requiring higher image fidelity, the Olympus E-PL7 remains my recommendation among these two. Outdoor enthusiasts or casual shooters prioritizing ruggedness and simplicity will find solace in the Pentax WG-2’s design.

Additional Resources

For detailed sample images comparing both cameras side-by-side, see the gallery below:

Olympus E PL7 front Olympus E PL7 screen back Pentax WG 2 front Pentax WG 2 screen back

These include portraits, landscapes, underwater shots, and macro photos illustrating real field tests under varied lighting.

Whether you prioritize image quality, ruggedness, or overall versatility, understanding these differences empowers you to make a confident gear choice. Always aim to align your camera investment with your photographic ambitions and shooting environments.

If you have questions or would like comparisons with other models in similar categories, feel free to reach out in the comments. I’m here to help you navigate the world of cameras grounded in practical, real-world experience.

Happy shooting!