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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41
Olympus XZ-1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched January 2011
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
  • Revealed February 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Olympus XZ-1 versus Pentax WG-2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the XZ-1 (10MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and WG-2 (1/2.3") have different sensor measurements.

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The XZ-1 was unveiled 12 months before the WG-2 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the XZ-1 grades against the WG-2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Pentax WG-2

 XZ-1 WG-2 
Display resolution614k460kCrisper display (+154k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Olympus XZ-1

 WG-2 XZ-1 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2011More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax WG-2

 XZ-1 WG-2 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus XZ-1 has physical measurements 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-2 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Look at the Olympus XZ-1 versus Pentax WG-2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the XZ-1 and the WG-2.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-1 and WG-2 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The pic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-1 and WG-2.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The XZ-1 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax WG-2 will result in more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged XZ-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography details
45
manual focus
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.63")
40
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Street photography highlights
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition (275g)
54
weather proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Sports photography camera
38
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (320 per charge)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.63")
has no phase detect AF
38
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography highlights
62
better than average battery pack (320 shots)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (275g)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
70
weather proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography info
54
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (320 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse recording
47
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging advice
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competition (275g)
30
decently wide (28mm)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone jack
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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax WG-2
 Olympus XZ-1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus XZ-1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2011-01-26 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3664 x 2752 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type 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
Crop factor 4.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 614 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech OLED Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 5.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 data format Motion JPEG 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 275 grams (0.61 pounds) 192 grams (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 260 photos
Style 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $567 $350