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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(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
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
  • Announced February 2011
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax WG-1

 K-30 WG-1 
AnnouncedOctober 2012February 2011More modern by 21 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
35
manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography info
Pentax WG-1 Street photography info
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
54
environment proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography advice
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
37
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-30
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
60
weather sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
low battery pack (410 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
71
environment proof
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography info
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery pack (410 per charge)
42
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent MP (14MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging features
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax K-30Pentax 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