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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched January 2013
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-50 was launched 24 months later than the WG-1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SH-50 scores against the WG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Pentax WG-1

 SH-50 WG-1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2011More recent by 24 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus SH-50

 WG-1 SH-50 

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Pentax WG-1

 SH-50 WG-1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-50 offers outer measurements of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SH-50 compared to the WG-1.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-50 and WG-1 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by looking at specifications. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-50 and WG-1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus SH-50 to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent SH-50 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-50
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Street photography info
Pentax WG-1 Street photography info
64
image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition (269 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Sports photography information
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography information
48
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (269 grams)
has focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
environment proof
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Landscape photography details
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography details
49
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
42
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
34
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (269 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus SH-50Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SH-50 Pentax Optio WG-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-01-08 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $300 $350