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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL9
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Following is a extensive review of the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the WG-2 GPS (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and WG-2 GPS (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL8 was announced 4 years after the WG-2 GPS which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-2 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-PL8 grades vs the WG-2 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 E-PL8 WG-2 GPS 
LaunchedSeptember 2016February 2012More modern by 57 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Olympus E-PL8

 WG-2 GPS E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 E-PL8 WG-2 GPS 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys exterior dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 GPS has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL8 vs the WG-2 GPS.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and WG-2 GPS is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading technical specs. The pic here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL8 and WG-2 GPS.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 has got the bigger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh simpler. The more recent E-PL8 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography features
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
40
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Sports photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
38
MP count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL8
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
71
supports focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL8
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
47
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging information
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
30
really wide (28mm)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Launched 2016-09-19 2012-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.40 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357g (0.79 lb) 198g (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 260 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $500 $300