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Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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
  • Released February 2012
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-r and Pentax WG-2, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are produced by Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the K-r (12MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the K-r (APS-C) and WG-2 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The K-r was revealed 11 months prior to the WG-2 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the K-r matches up against the WG-2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-r WG-2 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

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

 WG-2 K-r 
ReleasedFebruary 2012March 2011Newer by 11 months

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

 K-r WG-2 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-r comes with outer dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst 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).

Take a look at the Pentax K-r and Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the K-r compared to the WG-2.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-r and WG-2 is 67 and 91 respectively.

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

Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The pic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-r and WG-2.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-r with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax WG-2 will result in extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged K-r will be behind in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography info
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
40
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography highlights
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery pack (470 per charge)
38
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography features
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography features
47
flash built-in
low battery pack (470 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
70
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography info
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery pack (470 per charge)
47
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging details
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging details
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
30
relatively wide (28mm)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax WG-2
 Pentax K-rPentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-r Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Waterproof
Introduced 2011-03-11 2012-02-07
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.40 m
Flash modes 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
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598 gr (1.32 lbs) 192 gr (0.42 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 260 shots
Battery form 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $1,100 $350