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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus SH-50 and Pentax WG-2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SH-50 was introduced 12 months after the WG-2 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SH-50 grades vs the WG-2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Pentax WG-2

 SH-50 WG-2 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2012More modern by 12 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Olympus SH-50

 WG-2 SH-50 

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Pentax WG-2

 SH-50 WG-2 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-50 has external dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SH-50 and Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SH-50 versus the WG-2.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-50 and WG-2 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The picture underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-50 and WG-2.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of images but you may want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The more recent SH-50 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-50
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2
44
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
40
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Street photography features
Pentax WG-2 Street photography features
64
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than others (269g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography info
48
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-50
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
69
lighter than others (269g)
provides focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
weather proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-50
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2
49
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (269 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
30
decently wide (28mm)
provides face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Pentax WG-2
 Olympus SH-50Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SH-50 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2013-01-08 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 pounds) 192 grams (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs
Type 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $300 $350