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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released January 2012
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
  • Announced February 2011
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was released 12 months after the WG-1 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SZ-12 matches up versus the WG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax WG-1

 SZ-12 WG-1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2011More modern by 12 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus SZ-12

 WG-1 SZ-12 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-1

 SZ-12 WG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 features outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while 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).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 and the WG-1.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and WG-1 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The pic here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and WG-1.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution so you can expect similar quality of photographs though you will want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The younger SZ-12 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
35
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
weather sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography details
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1
40
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
42
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-12 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2012-01-10 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 220 images 260 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $350 $350