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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 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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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-01 versus Pentax WG-1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively close but the K-01 (APS-C) and WG-1 (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

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The K-01 was announced 16 months later than the WG-1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-01 scores versus the WG-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax WG-1

 K-01 WG-1 
ReleasedMay 2012February 2011Fresher by 16 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Pentax K-01

 WG-1 K-01 

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax WG-1

 K-01 WG-1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-01 provides outside dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-01 versus Pentax WG-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the K-01 vs the WG-1.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and WG-1 is 76 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The visual underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-01 and WG-1.

Plainly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K-01 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-01 will render extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-01 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography factors
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
35
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography information
Pentax WG-1 Street photography information
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
heavier than competition (561g)
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
lacks phase detect auto focus
37
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography factors
65
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
heavier than competition (561g)
display is not selfie friendly
71
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography information
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
42
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging details
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (561 grams)
25
rather wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax K-01Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-01 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2012-05-30 2011-02-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 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
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561g (1.24 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 pictures 260 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $899 $350