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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was announced 10 months after the WG-1 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-PM1 grades vs the WG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax WG-1

 E-PM1 WG-1 
IntroducedNovember 2011February 2011Newer by 10 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 WG-1 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax WG-1

 E-PM1 WG-1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 vs the WG-1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and WG-1 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The pic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and WG-1.

Plainly, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax WG-1 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-PM1 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
35
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Street photography factors
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
has no phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography details
45
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
71
weather proof
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Announced 2011-11-23 2011-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 35 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 range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $499 $350