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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 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
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Newer Model is Sony A9 II
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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the WG-1 GPS (14MP) and A9 (24MP) and the WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) have totally different sensor size.

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The WG-1 GPS was launched 6 years prior to the A9 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the WG-1 GPS matches up versus the A9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Sony A9

 WG-1 GPS A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 A9 WG-1 GPS 
IntroducedApril 2017August 2011Fresher by 69 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Sony A9

 WG-1 GPS A9 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-1 GPS enjoys exterior dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Look at the Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the WG-1 GPS vs the A9.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-1 GPS and A9 is 93 and 65 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-1 GPS and A9.

Clearly, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The WG-1 GPS featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A9 will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older WG-1 GPS is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography details
Sony A9 Portrait photography details
35
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
83
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography information
Sony A9 Street photography information
54
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography factors
Sony A9 Sports photography factors
37
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking focus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery power (650 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
Travel photography with Sony A9
71
environment proof
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
73
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
environment proof
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography advice
Sony A9 Landscape photography advice
42
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
85
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging information
Sony A9 Vlogging information
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
36
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 GPS and Sony A9
 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPSSony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS Sony Alpha A9
Class Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-08-16 2017-04-19
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 693
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
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 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lbs) 673 gr (1.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 650 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One 2
Launch cost $350 $4,498