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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-S2
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched August 2011
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Waterproof and they are both sold by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and WG-1 GPS (14MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-S1 was brought out 3 years later than the WG-1 GPS and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the K-S1 grades vs the WG-1 GPS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 K-S1 WG-1 GPS 
LaunchedAugust 2014August 2011More recent by 37 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Pentax K-S1

 WG-1 GPS K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 K-S1 WG-1 GPS 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-S1 has got outer measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 GPS has dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-S1 vs the WG-1 GPS.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S1 and WG-1 GPS is 69 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by reading specifications. The photograph below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S1 and WG-1 GPS.

To sum up, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The K-S1 due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax K-S1 will offer you extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent K-S1 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography advice
77
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
35
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Street photography camera
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography details
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
37
MP count good (14MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography information
60
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
environment proofing
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography advice
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
terrible battery (410 shots)
no Time Lapse function
42
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
MP count good (14MP)
environment proofing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging details
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging details
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (558g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Pentax K-S1Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Category Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Launched 2014-08-27 2011-08-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
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
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.4 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558g (1.23 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1061 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 260 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $339 $350