Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77


91 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Revealed February 2016
- New Model is Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
- Revealed February 2012

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview
Here, we will be matching up the Pentax K-1 and Pentax WG-2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Waterproof and both are designed by Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and WG-2 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

The K-1 was brought out 4 years later than the WG-2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the K-1 grades versus the WG-2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-1 and Pentax Optio WG-2. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 Gallery and Pentax WG-2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax WG-2
K-1 | WG-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2016 | ![]() | February 2012 | Fresher by 50 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+577k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Pentax K-1
WG-2 | K-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax WG-2
K-1 | WG-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 enjoys physical measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-1 and Pentax WG-2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the K-1 vs the WG-2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and WG-2 is 55 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 and WG-2.
As you can tell, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-1 because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern K-1 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications
Pentax K-1 | Pentax Optio WG-2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-1 | Pentax Optio WG-2 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2016-02-17 | 2012-02-07 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 204800 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 33 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | - | 1cm |
Available lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.4 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.40 m |
Flash options | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Built-in | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1010 grams (2.23 lb) | 192 grams (0.42 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 96 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 25.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.6 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 3280 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 760 pictures | 260 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Card slots | Dual | Single |
Retail pricing | $1,499 | $350 |