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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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
  • Released February 2011
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax WG-1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Waterproof and they are both offered by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very comparable but the K-5 (APS-C) and WG-1 (1/2.3") come with different sensor measurements.

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The K-5 was released around the same time to the WG-1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the K-5 matches up against the WG-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax WG-1

 K-5 WG-1 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Pentax K-5

 WG-1 K-5 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax WG-1

 K-5 WG-1 
ReleasedDecember 2010February 2011Same age
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 has got outer dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax WG-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-5 versus the WG-1.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and WG-1 is 60 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and WG-1.

Clearly, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-5 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax K-5 will show more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
35
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography details
Pentax WG-1 Street photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography advice
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
37
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography information
65
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
71
environment sealing
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography details
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
42
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax K-5Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Introduced 2010-12-18 2011-02-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II -
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 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 Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740 grams (1.63 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photographs 260 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $800 $350