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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Revealed December 2012
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
  • Released February 2011
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very similar but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and WG-1 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The XZ-2 iHS was released 23 months later than the WG-1 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the XZ-2 iHS matches up against the WG-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 XZ-2 iHS WG-1 
ReleasedDecember 2012February 2011More recent by 23 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 WG-1 XZ-2 iHS 

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

 XZ-2 iHS WG-1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS offers exterior dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") and a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the XZ-2 iHS against the WG-1.

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

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-2 iHS and WG-1 is 85 and 93 respectively.

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

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and WG-1.

Plainly, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax WG-1 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer XZ-2 iHS is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography features
Pentax WG-1 Street photography features
66
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (346g)
54
weather proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography info
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography info
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery pack (340 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
61
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (346 grams)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
71
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography advice
55
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (340 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse function
42
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
36
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone port
does not feature selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (346 grams)
25
rather wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus XZ-2 iHS Pentax Optio WG-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2012-12-18 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 346g (0.76 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 260 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-90B 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, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $450 $350