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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

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

Below is a in-depth overview of the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was revealed 5 months later than the WG-1 GPS so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ-12 scores against the WG-1 GPS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 SZ-12 WG-1 GPS 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

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

 WG-1 GPS SZ-12 
Manually focus Very precise focus

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

 SZ-12 WG-1 GPS 
ReleasedJanuary 2012August 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has got exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 GPS has proportions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-12 against the WG-1 GPS.

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

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and WG-1 GPS is 89 and 93 respectively.

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

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out technical specs. The visual below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of images although you should really factor the production date of the cameras into account.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography info
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
35
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Sports photography camera
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
37
megapixel count good (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
weather proofing
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
42
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging factors
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-01-10 2011-08-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 260 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $350 $350