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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
 
Samsung SL30 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Key Specs

Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched August 2011
Samsung SL30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 140g - 94 x 61 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally Known as ES15
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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Samsung SL30, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Samsung. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the WG-1 GPS (14MP) and SL30 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The WG-1 GPS was introduced 2 years later than the SL30 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the WG-1 GPS grades vs the SL30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Samsung SL30

 WG-1 GPS SL30 
IntroducedAugust 2011February 2009Fresher by 31 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Samsung SL30 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 SL30 WG-1 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Samsung SL30

 WG-1 GPS SL30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-1 GPS has got outer measurements of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Samsung SL30 has measurements of 94mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Samsung SL30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the WG-1 GPS against the SL30.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-1 GPS and SL30 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-1 GPS and SL30.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-1 GPS to resolve extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher WG-1 GPS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
Portrait photography with Samsung SL30
35
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
25
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography advice
Samsung SL30 Street photography advice
54
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography info
Samsung SL30 Sports photography info
37
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Travel photography camera
Samsung SL30 as a Travel photography camera
71
weather proofing
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
Landscape photography with Samsung SL30
42
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-1 GPS
Vlogging with Samsung SL30
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
25
provides face detect focusing
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Samsung SL30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 GPS and Samsung SL30
 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPSSamsung SL30
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS Samsung SL30
Other name - ES15
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-08-16 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.5"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 pounds) 140 grams (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") 94 x 61 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $350 $93