Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Introduced October 2012
- Successor is Pentax K-50
(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
- Announced February 2011
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Following is a in-depth comparison of the Pentax K-30 and Pentax WG-1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Waterproof and they are both sold by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very close but the K-30 (APS-C) and WG-1 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe K-30 was revealed 21 months after the WG-1 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.
Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the K-30 grades versus the WG-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Photography Glossary Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-30 and Pentax Optio WG-1. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-30 Gallery and Pentax WG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax WG-1
| K-30 | WG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 2012 | February 2011 | More modern by 21 months | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Pentax K-30
| WG-1 | K-30 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax WG-1
| K-30 | WG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Very exact focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Lack of Touch display |
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 comes with exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 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 the Pentax K-30 and Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the K-30 compared to the WG-1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and WG-1 is 63 and 93 respectively.
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison
Often, its difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The picture below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and WG-1.
Plainly, both cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-30 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-30 will render more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-30 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications
| Pentax K-30 | Pentax Optio WG-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Pentax |
| Model | Pentax K-30 | Pentax Optio WG-1 |
| Category | Advanced DSLR | Waterproof |
| Introduced | 2012-10-29 | 2011-02-07 |
| Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Prime M | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 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 | 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4288 x 3216 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Cross focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
| Highest aperture | - | f/3.5-5.5 |
| Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
| Available lenses | 151 | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Screen resolution | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 4 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 3.90 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/180 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (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 data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| 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 | Optional | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 650g (1.43 lbs) | 157g (0.35 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" 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 | 13.0 | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | 1129 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 410 images | 260 images |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI109,4 x AA | D-LI92 |
| Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Pricing at release | $525 | $350 |