Pentax MX-1 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Following is a extended review of the Pentax MX-1 and Ricoh WG-5 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Pentax and Ricoh. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the MX-1 (12MP) and WG-5 GPS (16MP) and the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WG-5 GPS (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The MX-1 was brought out 19 months earlier than the WG-5 GPS which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the MX-1 grades versus the WG-5 GPS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax MX-1 and Ricoh WG-5 GPS. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Ricoh WG-5 GPS Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Pentax MX-1 comes with outside 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 Ricoh WG-5 GPS has specifications of 125mm x 65mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Pentax MX-1 and Ricoh WG-5 GPS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the MX-1 and the WG-5 GPS.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and WG-5 GPS is 84 and 90 respectively.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The image here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and WG-5 GPS.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The MX-1 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Ricoh WG-5 GPS will offer you more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged MX-1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.