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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41
Olympus XZ-1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Released January 2011
Pentax WG-1
(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
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2011
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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the XZ-1 (10MP) and WG-1 (14MP) and the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and WG-1 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The XZ-1 was manufactured within a month of the WG-1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the XZ-1 grades versus the WG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Pentax WG-1

 XZ-1 WG-1 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kCrisper display (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Olympus XZ-1

 WG-1 XZ-1 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax WG-1

 XZ-1 WG-1 
IntroducedJanuary 2011February 2011Same age
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-1 has got outside dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the XZ-1 versus the WG-1.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-1 and WG-1 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing technical specs. The visual here should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-1 and WG-1.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The XZ-1 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax WG-1 will render extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus XZ-1
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
45
manual focus
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (275 grams)
54
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography highlights
38
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
good battery power (320 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
62
good battery power (320 CIPA)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (275 grams)
low resolution (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
71
environment proof
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography factors
54
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (320 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
31
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
heavier than competition (275g)
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus XZ-1Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus XZ-1 Pentax Optio WG-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2011-01-26 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3664 x 2752 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech OLED TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 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 file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 275 gr (0.61 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 34 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 18.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 117 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 260 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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
Price at release $567 $350