Clicky

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Updated by Olympus E-PM2
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(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
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released August 2011
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-PM1 was unveiled 4 months after the WG-1 GPS which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PM1 scores versus the WG-1 GPS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

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

 E-PM1 WG-1 GPS 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

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

 WG-1 GPS E-PM1 

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

 E-PM1 WG-1 GPS 
ReleasedNovember 2011August 2011Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 GPS has proportions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PM1 and the WG-1 GPS.

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

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

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

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 with its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax WG-1 GPS will offer you more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively.

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

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

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography highlights
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
35
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography details
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Travel photography camera
45
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
environment proof
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography info
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
environment proof
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2011-11-23 2011-08-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
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 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 260 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $499 $350