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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Released July 2013
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
  • Introduced February 2011
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof and they are both sold by Pentax. The resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WG-1 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The MX-1 was introduced 2 years later than the WG-1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the MX-1 grades against the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax WG-1

 MX-1 WG-1 
IntroducedJuly 2013February 2011More recent by 30 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Pentax MX-1

 WG-1 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-1

 MX-1 WG-1 
Focus manually More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax MX-1 has physical measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the MX-1 and the WG-1.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the MX-1 and WG-1 is 84 and 93 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The visual here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and WG-1.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The MX-1 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax WG-1 will give you extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more modern MX-1 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography advice
42
manual focus
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
35
has manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Street photography features
Pentax WG-1 Street photography features
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391g)
54
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography advice
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery life (290 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
37
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography info
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography info
61
great battery life (290 per charge)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
71
environment proofing
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography info
55
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
33
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
25
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-1
 Pentax MX-1Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax MX-1 Pentax Optio WG-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2013-07-01 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD with AR coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 391g (0.86 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 208 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-Li-106 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $400 $350