Clicky

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Introduced July 2013
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(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
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released August 2011
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Pentax MX-1 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof and both of them are produced by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is fairly similar but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The MX-1 was manufactured 23 months later than the WG-1 GPS making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the MX-1 scores versus the WG-1 GPS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 MX-1 WG-1 GPS 
ReleasedJuly 2013August 2011Fresher by 23 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

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

 WG-1 GPS MX-1 

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

 MX-1 WG-1 GPS 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 GPS has dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Pentax MX-1 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the MX-1 versus the WG-1 GPS.

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

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the MX-1 and WG-1 GPS is 84 and 93 respectively.

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

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the MX-1 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can tell, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The MX-1 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax WG-1 GPS will deliver extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer MX-1 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
42
manual focus
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
35
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax MX-1
Street photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
54
environment proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography advice
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery power (290 per charge)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
37
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography info
61
good battery power (290 shots)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (391g)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
71
environment proofing
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography advice
55
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
good battery power (290 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse mode
42
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging info
33
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (391g)
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Pentax MX-1Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax MX-1 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2013-07-01 2011-08-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
External flash
AEB
WB 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 391 gr (0.86 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 208 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-Li-106 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $400 $350