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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
Pentax WG-2
(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
  • Launched February 2012
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Waterproof and they are both offered by Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and WG-2 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-S1 was unveiled 2 years after the WG-2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-S1 grades versus the WG-2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax WG-2

 K-S1 WG-2 
LaunchedAugust 2014February 2012Newer by 32 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Pentax K-S1

 WG-2 K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-2

 K-S1 WG-2 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-S1 features external dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-S1 and the WG-2.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the K-S1 and WG-2 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specs. The image below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-S1 and WG-2.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-S1 having a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-S1 will resolve extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger K-S1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography info
78
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
40
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (558g)
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery life (410 shots)
38
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography information
60
lighter than competition in class (558g)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Landscape photography camera
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no microphone support
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax WG-2
 Pentax K-S1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Introduced 2014-08-27 2012-02-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.4 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 grams (1.23 lbs) 192 grams (0.42 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 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 card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $339 $350