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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push 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 GPS
(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
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Revealed August 2011
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof and they are both designed by Pentax. The resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is very close but the K-01 (APS-C) and WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-01 was revealed 10 months later than the WG-1 GPS so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the K-01 scores versus the WG-1 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 K-01 WG-1 GPS 
RevealedMay 2012August 2011Fresher by 10 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

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

 WG-1 GPS K-01 

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

 K-01 WG-1 GPS 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-01 provides external dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 GPS has specifications of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the K-01 and the WG-1 GPS.

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

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and WG-1 GPS is 76 and 93 respectively.

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

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-01 and WG-1 GPS.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K-01 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax K-01 will result in greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The newer K-01 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
35
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography advice
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
more heavy than average in class (561 grams)
54
weather proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography advice
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (540 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography information
65
better than average battery (540 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than average in class (561 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
71
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-01
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
80
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
42
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average in class (561 grams)
25
really wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Pentax K-01Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-01 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2012-05-30 2011-08-16
Body design 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561 gr (1.24 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 images 260 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $899 $350