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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 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
  • Released July 2013
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WG-2 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The MX-1 was launched 17 months after the WG-2 making them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the MX-1 grades against the WG-2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax WG-2

 MX-1 WG-2 
LaunchedJuly 2013February 2012More modern by 17 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Pentax MX-1

 WG-2 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-2

 MX-1 WG-2 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax MX-1 comes with physical dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check out the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the MX-1 versus the WG-2.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and WG-2 is 84 and 91 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by checking specifications. The image underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the MX-1 and WG-2.

Plainly, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The MX-1 because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax WG-2 will give you more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer MX-1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography details
42
manual focus
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
40
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
65
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than others in class (391 grams)
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery (290 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography factors
61
better than average battery (290 CIPA)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (391g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
70
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography advice
55
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (290 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging factors
33
decently wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (391 grams)
30
quite wide (28mm)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-2
 Pentax MX-1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax MX-1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2013-07-01 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 391g (0.86 lbs) 192g (0.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 260 shots
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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $400 $350