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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

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

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-2 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the WG-2 GPS (16MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was launched about the same time to the WG-2 GPS so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the WG-2 GPS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 SZ-12 WG-2 GPS 

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

 WG-2 GPS SZ-12 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

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

 SZ-12 WG-2 GPS 
IntroducedJanuary 2012February 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 has exterior 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 GPS has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-2 GPS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SZ-12 against the WG-2 GPS.

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

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and WG-2 GPS is 89 and 91 respectively.

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

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing specifications. The pic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and WG-2 GPS.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Pentax WG-2 GPS to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography information
33
MP count decent (14MP)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography advice
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography features
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
70
environment proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
40
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
47
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging information
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
lighter than average in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
30
relatively wide (28mm)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
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)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 198 grams (0.44 lbs)
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 All around 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 shots 260 shots
Form 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $350 $300