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Pentax K-x vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-x vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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
  • Launched February 2011
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-x vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-x versus Pentax WG-1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Waterproof and they are both built by Pentax. The resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very comparable but the K-x (APS-C) and WG-1 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-x was brought out 13 months earlier than the WG-1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-x scores versus the WG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-x WG-1 

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

 WG-1 K-x 
LaunchedFebruary 2011December 2009More modern by 13 months

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

 K-x WG-1 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax K-x vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-x has got external measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-x versus Pentax WG-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the K-x against the WG-1.

Pentax K-x vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-x and WG-1 is 69 and 93 respectively.

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

Pentax K-x vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by going through a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-x and WG-1.

As you can see, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-x due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax WG-1 will provide greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged K-x will be behind in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography details
Pentax WG-1 Street photography details
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography factors
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
37
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
54
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
71
weather proof
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography features
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
42
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
25
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Pentax K-x vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax K-xPentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-x Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Waterproof
Revealed 2009-12-23 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 16.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 811 not tested
Other
Battery life 1900 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $600 $350