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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus VR-340
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.0-5.7) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2011
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus VR-340 versus Pentax WG-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VR-340 was announced 12 months later than the WG-1 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the VR-340 matches up vs the WG-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Pentax WG-1

 VR-340 WG-1 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2011Fresher by 12 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus VR-340

 WG-1 VR-340 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Pentax WG-1

 VR-340 WG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-340 has outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus VR-340 versus Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the VR-340 and the WG-1.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VR-340 and WG-1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The visual here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-340 and WG-1.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Olympus VR-340 to render extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The more modern VR-340 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography highlights
34
decent MP (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
35
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Street photography information
Pentax WG-1 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
54
environment proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography info
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-340
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
69
lighter than others in class (125g)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VR-340
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1
43
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging factors
33
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus VR-340Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VR-340 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 - 260 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $130 $350