Olympus Stylus 1s vs Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS: The Ultimate Camera Face-Off for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing your next camera can feel overwhelming - especially when two distinct models bring very different strengths to the table. The Olympus Stylus 1s and the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS represent compelling options in the compact and bridge camera space but target largely different user needs. We’ve drawn from hundreds of hours of hands-on testing and technical analysis to deliver a clear, practical comparison of how these cameras stack up across every major photography discipline and use case. Whether you’re an enthusiast aiming to expand your artistry or a pro seeking a rugged backup, our expert review helps you find the best fit.

Physical size and ergonomics: Olympus 1s (left) with its larger bridge-style body, versus the compact, rugged Pentax WG-2 GPS (right).

Meet the Contenders: Overview and Design Philosophy

Before diving deeper, a quick snapshot:

At first glance, the Olympus Stylus 1s aims to be an all-purpose high-quality bridge camera with fast optics and advanced controls, whereas the Pentax WG-2 GPS is designed for the adventurous shooter who prioritizes durability and ruggedness over DSLR-style handling or extensive zoom range.

Sensor and Image Quality: Does Bigger Always Mean Better?

The heart of any camera is the sensor, so let’s break down the technical differences and real-world implications.

• Olympus Stylus 1s features a larger 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 12 megapixels. This sensor size (41.52mm² area) is noticeably bigger than what you find in typical compacts, providing better light-gathering capacity. The BSI (Back Side Illuminated) design further improves low-light efficiency.

• Pentax WG-2 GPS has a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels, yielding a higher resolution on a physically smaller area (28.07mm²). While more megapixels sound good on paper, cramming more pixels on a smaller sensor generally increases noise, especially in low light.

Image quality observations from our tests:

• The Olympus 1s delivers clearer, less noisy images across the ISO range, especially beyond ISO 800 - important for event and travel photography.

• The Pentax offers sharper detail in bright lighting conditions due to higher pixel count but struggles with noise above ISO 400, limiting its nighttime usability.

• Both cameras apply an anti-aliasing filter, which helps reduce moiré but slightly softens fine detail.

• Olympus supports RAW shooting (very useful for post-processing), whereas the Pentax WG-2 GPS does not, restricting your flexibility in editing.

What this means for you

If your priority is image clarity and flexibility in editing - especially under challenging lighting - Olympus is the better choice. For casual shooters who mostly snap in daylight and want high-res JPEGs straight from the camera, Pentax’s sensor performance is acceptable.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking Your Subject in Real Time

Understanding autofocus (AF) performance is critical, especially for subjects in motion like wildlife, sports, or street photography.

The Olympus Stylus 1s demonstrates notably faster AF lock times in both bright and low-light situations thanks to its larger AF point array, touch-enabled AF area selection, and more sophisticated tracking algorithms. In our tests with moving subjects during wildlife and sports scenarios, it maintained superior focus lock and accuracy.

The Pentax WG-2 GPS’s AF system, limited to nine points and single AF mode, is slower and less reliable for moving subjects. Its maximum 1 fps shooting rate means you’re often capturing single frames rather than action sequences, which may frustrate users specializing in fast action.

Build Quality and Handling: Your Camera Companion in the Field

One of the biggest divides between these two cameras is in construction and environmental resistance.

Top view shows Olympus’ robust manual control dials and mode selector versus the minimal control layout of the Pentax WG-2 GPS.

• Olympus Stylus 1s features a solid, grip-friendly bridge camera body with a neat SLR-inspired design. Its 402-gram weight and 116x87x57 mm dimensions confer presence and a comfortable balance, especially with heavier lenses. Controls are logically placed, including a tilting 3-inch touchscreen with 1040k dot resolution and an electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, helping precise framing in bright sunlight.

• Pentax WG-2 GPS is a compact (122x61x30 mm) and lightweight (198 grams) rugged shooter designed for rough conditions. It’s waterproof to 40 feet (12m), freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C), dustproof, shockproof from 5-foot drops, and crushproof up to 220 pounds. However, its control scheme is simplified, and its fixed 3" LCD screen is less detailed (460k dots) and fixed (non-tilting), which may frustrate some users trying to compose creatively from unusual angles.

Practical takeaway

If you shoot primarily outdoors in adverse conditions - hiking, diving, mountain biking - the Pentax WG-2 GPS’s robust sealing and compactness will serve you well. Olympus, though weather-resistant in many lenses within its system rather than this superzoom model, requires more care and is not intended for waterproof adventure shooting.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Both cameras cover a range of disciplines, but their strengths vary widely.

Portraiture: Capturing That Perfect Smile

Good portraiture hinges on accurate skin tones, shallow depth of field, and reliable eye detection AF.

• The Olympus 1s’s bright, constant f/2.8 lens spanning 28-300mm equivalent lets you create beautiful background blur (“bokeh”) and isolate your subject easily.

• Face Detection AF works well, and touch AF aids quick focusing on eyes, a necessity in portraiture.

• Pentax’s narrower f/3.5-5.5 aperture range and shorter zoom limit bokeh quality. It provides face detection but lacks dedicated eye AF and touch focusing, making precise portraits trickier.

Landscape Photography: Detail and Dynamic Range

Landscape shooters prize resolution, dynamic range, expansive depth of field, and weather sealing.

• Olympus’s larger sensor gives better dynamic range and color depth, preserving details in shadows and highlights.

• The long 300mm zoom is seldom needed but gives framing flexibility.

• No weather sealing in the Stylus 1s means caution on wet hikes.

• Pentax’s rugged design is weatherproof, ideal for harsh environments, but compromises with a smaller sensor reduce dynamic range and detail.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Reach Matter

• Olympus’s 7 fps burst and 10.7x zoom enable you to freeze action and capture distant wildlife.

• Fast, accurate autofocus and continuous tracking keep subjects sharp.

• Pentax’s 1 fps shooting rate and 5x zoom significantly limit sports/wildlife use, with slower AF that struggles with unpredictable subjects.

Street and Travel: Portability Vs. Control

• Olympus’s bridge body is larger but packs manual control dials and an electronic viewfinder, helpful for street candid moments when discretion is possible.

• Pentax is ultra-compact and discreet, perfect for travel and street photography where ruggedness and minimal attention are vital.

• Both can shoot in low light, but Olympus’s better sensor nudges it ahead.

Macro and Close-up Photography

• Pentax shines here with a 1cm macro focusing distance, letting you get impressively close.

• Olympus offers 5cm macro distance but benefits from image stabilization and a brighter lens, improving close-up sharpness handheld.

Night and Astrophotography

• Olympus’s broader ISO range to 12,800 and RAW support make it superior for shooting stars and nighttime scenes.

• Pentax’s max ISO of 6,400 and JPEG-only output limit post-processing.

Video Production

• Both shoot Full HD 1080p at 30 fps.

• Olympus includes H.264 codec and improved video stabilization along with a touchscreen, making it easier to compose and control footage.

• Pentax also provides multiple frame rates but lacks audio input and advanced stabilization, reducing professional utility.

What You Actually Hold and Handle

The Olympus 1s’s bright, tilting touchscreen LCD is a joy for live view composition and navigating menus. Its EVF with 1440k dots resolution covers 100% of the field, great for precise framing and shooting under harsh light.

Pentax’s WG-2 GPS relies on its fixed LCD, which can be difficult to see in bright conditions. The absence of any EVF means you must always compose via the rear screen, which may feel limiting.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power Considerations

• Olympus supports built-in Wi-Fi connectivity enabling quick photo sharing and remote control apps - a must in today’s connected workflow.

• Pentax supports Eye-Fi card integration rather than built-in Wi-Fi, an older wireless standard requiring specific memory cards.

• Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a single slot each.

• Battery life is stronger in Olympus (450 shots per charge) compared to Pentax’s 260 shots, which reflects their relative sizes and power consumption.

Sample Images and Real-World Performance

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Pentax WG 2 GPS front Pentax WG 2 GPS screen back

Examining these gallery images side-by-side reveals:

• Olympus photos are crisp, with vibrant colors and pleasant bokeh at wide apertures.

• Pentax images show nice detail in good light but struggle with noise and softness in shadow areas.

Final Scoring and User Recommendations

• Portrait/Studio: Olympus excels; Pentax less suitable.

• Landscape: Olympus wins for quality, Pentax better built for extreme conditions.

• Wildlife/Sports: Olympus is practical; Pentax limited.

• Street/Travel: Pentax leads in portability; Olympus offers better control.

Who Should Buy Which?

Opt for the Olympus Stylus 1s

• You want versatile zoom range with bright aperture for portraits and landscapes.

• You prioritize image quality and manual controls.

• You need faster and more reliable autofocus for wildlife and sports.

• You value high-quality video features and better connectivity.

• You shoot in mixed environments and can care for a non-weathersealed body.

Go for the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS

• You need a rugged, waterproof camera that survives harsh outdoor conditions without accessories.

• You want something compact, lightweight, and extremely portable.

• You mainly shoot in good light - casual landscapes, underwater scenes, macro shots.

• Your priority is durability, basic snapshots, and GPS tagging for travel memories.

• You are on a tighter budget but still want above-average image quality for a waterproof camera.

In Conclusion: Tailor Your Choice to Your Creative Journey

Both the Olympus Stylus 1s and the Pentax WG-2 GPS offer unique advantages suited to very different photography lifestyles.

• Olympus demands a bit more investment and care but rewards you with flexibility, image quality, and creative control suited to an enthusiast or even semi-professional workflow.

• Pentax offers peace of mind through ruggedness and simplicity, perfect if your adventures take you where other cameras fear to tread.

Neither camera replaces a DSLR or mirrorless system with large sensors and interchangeable lenses, but both are fantastic companions in their niches. We recommend hands-on testing where possible and thoughtful consideration of your shooting priorities. Pair your purchase with high-quality SD cards and extra batteries to get the most from your new camera.

Happy shooting!

Ready to get started?

Check out local retailers for in-person trials or look for sample galleries online that match your photography interests. Whether capturing wildlife or capturing underwater exploits, the right camera should empower your creative vision. Explore accessories that match your chosen model - extra lenses, tripods, filters, or underwater housings - to elevate your photography game further.

Remember, the best camera is the one you will carry and use often!

This article was prepared with expert insight based on direct testing and thorough analysis, aimed at empowering your camera buying decisions.