Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2011
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Announced June 2010
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5N

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Following is a extended overview of the Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-1 GPS (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very close but the WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

The WG-1 GPS was revealed 15 months after the NEX-5 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the WG-1 GPS grades vs the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-1 GPS Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Sony NEX-5
WG-1 GPS | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 15 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS
NEX-5 | WG-1 GPS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Sony NEX-5
WG-1 GPS | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-1 GPS provides external measurements of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
See the Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the WG-1 GPS vs the NEX-5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the WG-1 GPS and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing specs. The pic here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-1 GPS and NEX-5.
All in all, both cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The WG-1 GPS has the smaller sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field trickier. The younger WG-1 GPS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2011-08-16 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
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 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.90 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 167 grams (0.37 lb) | 287 grams (0.63 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 shots | 330 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI92 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $350 | $599 |