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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 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
  • Announced January 2012
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released February 2012
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was announced around the same time to the WG-2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ-12 matches up against the WG-2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax WG-2

 SZ-12 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Olympus SZ-12

 WG-2 SZ-12 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-2

 SZ-12 WG-2 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2012Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 provides outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the WG-2.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and WG-2 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and WG-2.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax WG-2 to deliver extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (14MP)
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography info
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography features
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
70
environment sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2
40
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
47
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment sealing
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging advice
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
30
quite wide (28mm)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-2
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-12 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2012-01-10 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
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 distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 192 grams (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 220 images 260 images
Battery format 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $350 $350