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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

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

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-2 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are created by Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WG-2 GPS (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

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The MX-1 was announced 17 months after the WG-2 GPS which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the MX-1 matches up against the WG-2 GPS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 MX-1 WG-2 GPS 
AnnouncedJuly 2013February 2012Newer by 17 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

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

 WG-2 GPS MX-1 

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

 MX-1 WG-2 GPS 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax MX-1 enjoys outer dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 GPS has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check out the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-2 GPS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the MX-1 vs the WG-2 GPS.

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

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the MX-1 and WG-2 GPS is 84 and 91 respectively.

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

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The image underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the MX-1 and WG-2 GPS.

To sum up, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The MX-1 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax WG-2 GPS will give you more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The fresher MX-1 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography info
42
you can focus manually
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Street photography camera
65
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors (391 grams)
54
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography details
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
good battery power (290 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography features
61
good battery power (290 shots)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (391 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
70
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography information
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (290 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse function
47
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic support
heavier than competitors (391g)
30
decently wide (28mm)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Pentax MX-1Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax MX-1 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2013-07-01 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 391g (0.86 pounds) 198g (0.44 pounds)
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 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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery form 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
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $400 $300