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Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
Pentax WG-1
(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
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2011
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Pentax K-r versus Pentax WG-1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Waterproof and they are both offered by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively close but the K-r (APS-C) and WG-1 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-r was brought out 2 months later than the WG-1 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-r matches up versus the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 K-r WG-1 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

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

 WG-1 K-r 

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

 K-r WG-1 
ReleasedMarch 2011February 2011Same age
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-r provides exterior measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-r versus Pentax WG-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the K-r against the WG-1.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the K-r and WG-1 is 67 and 93 respectively.

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

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-r and WG-1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-r due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax WG-1 will provide you with more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Street photography highlights
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (470 shots)
37
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-r
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
47
built-in flash
bad battery power (470 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
71
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography factors
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (470 shots)
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging factors
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax K-rPentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-r Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Waterproof
Announced 2011-03-11 2011-02-07
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598 grams (1.32 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 755 not tested
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $1,100 $350