Pentax WG-1 GPS vs. Sony NEX-5R: A Deep Dive into Two Very Different Cameras

Choosing between two distinctly different cameras like the rugged Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS and the sleek Sony Alpha NEX-5R can feel daunting, especially when these devices target different kinds of photography uses yet overlap enough to invite comparison. Having spent years pushing cameras through real-world scenarios, pixel-peeping lab tests, and marathon shootouts, I’m here to give you an honest, thorough look at both these models. What they’re good at, where they fall short, and ultimately - who should consider which.

Let’s take a journey that not only compares specs but decrypts real performance through the lens (and sensor) of practical photography.

Putting Size and Handling Under the Microscope

First off, handling - for me, it’s the fundamental factor. No matter how great the sensor is, if the camera feels awkward or slips from your grip, frustrations grow. Let’s look at physicality first:

The Pentax WG-1 GPS sports a compact, straightforward body designed explicitly for durability and outdoor use. Its dimensions (116 x 59 x 29 mm) and light weight (167g) make it pocketable and easy for quick grabs during hikes or beach outings. It's sealed tight for waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof protection, earning a unique place in the rugged category.

In stark contrast, the Sony NEX-5R isn't so much a compact point-and-shoot as a slim, mirrorless system. At 111 x 59 x 39 mm and weighing 276g, it’s definitely more substantial, packing a larger sensor inside a rangefinder-style body. It lacks environmental sealing, so it’s not for sand dunes or waterfall shoots without additional care.

The Sony’s higher shoulder with its tilting touchscreen and access to interchangeable lenses demands more space and grip but rewards you with more control in varied shooting settings. You’ll want to handle both if you can, but for outdoor adventurers craving endurance over comfort with prolonged handholding, Pentax remains a solid rugged companion.

Top Design and Controls: Intuitive or Minimalist?

A camera’s control layout often reveals its intended audience and use philosophy.

The Pentax WG-1 GPS sports a stripped-back control scheme on its top deck - no mode dials for shutter priority or aperture priority, no customizable buttons, just essentials. The shutter release, zoom toggle, and a simple power button invite quick operation but limit direct access to creative controls. This simplicity aligns with the outdoor enthusiast who prioritizes ruggedness and quick, no-fuss shooting over intricate settings.

The Sony NEX-5R’s top panel communicates a different story: a compact mode dial, dedicated video button, and an ergonomic shutter with a comfortable shutter button and dial combo. Notably, with a touchscreen interface that flips up 180 degrees, it provides not just tactile control but also touch focus and menu navigation - a rarity in cameras of its era.

Having tested many cameras, I find the NEX-5R’s combination striking a positive balance between accessibility and advanced features - critical for enthusiasts who demand speed and creative options without lugging around bulkier bodies.

Sensor Size and Image Quality - The Heart of the Matter

Sensor size often dictates ultimate image quality potential, especially if you love shooting portraits, landscapes, or low-light scenes.

The Pentax WG-1 GPS houses a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm. This limits dynamic range, low-light performance, and depth-of-field control but keeps the camera compact. Its 14-megapixel resolution is respectable here but can’t overcome inherent sensor size constraints.

On the flipside, the Sony NEX-5R packs a significantly larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm), with 16 megapixels resolution. This size disparity is monumental - roughly 13 times larger sensor area means Sony’s images inherently capture more light, detail, and subtle tonal gradations.

To put it bluntly, if image quality - clean shadows, punchy colors, and creamy backgrounds - is paramount, the NEX-5R is the clear winner. It benefits from advanced Bionz processing, better noise control up to ISO 25600 (versus the WG-1 GPS’s ISO 6400 max), and more versatile color reproduction. The tradeoff? Larger size, higher cost, and more careful handling requirements.

Eyeballing Screens and Composing with the Interface

Shooting comfortably means seeing what you’re capturing clearly and adjusting settings fast.

Pentax’s WG-1 GPS features a 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution and anti-reflective coating. It’s usable in good light, but reflective glare and lower resolution can make critical focusing or setting checks challenging, especially under harsh sunlight.

The Sony NEX-5R sports a more advanced 3-inch tilt-angle LCD with a 920k-dot resolution and touchscreen capability. This tilting screen is excellent for low-angle or overhead shots and enables touch focus - something the WG-1 GPS doesn’t have. The interface is intuitive, with a responsive menu system and much clearer feedback.

If you often shoot outdoors or experiment with creative framing, the NEX-5R's screen capabilities provide tangible benefits. Still, the Pentax’s screen suffices for casual or rugged use where extreme visibility isn’t mission-critical.

Real-World Photography: Which Excels in Which Genre?

Now to the heart of usability. How do these two cameras stand up in various photographic disciplines? I’ve tested both extensively across portrait, landscape, wildlife, and more.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The Pentax WG-1 GPS offers a 28-140mm equivalent zoom with max aperture f/3.5-5.5, adequate for snapshots but limited for selective focus or creamy bokeh due to sensor size and lens speed. Its contrast-detection AF with 9 points, lacking face or eye detection, struggles to lock fast or precisely on eyes, especially under challenging light.

Sony’s NEX-5R, armed with interchangeable lenses and a far more sophisticated 99-point hybrid AF system (including phase-detection points), tracks faces and subjects better. Coupled with the APS-C sensor, you achieve better subject isolation, more natural skin tones, and richer tonal fidelity. For portraits, the NEX-5R is a clear favorite.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Toughness

Landscape photography demands dynamic range and resolution but also robustness if you shoot harsh environments.

Pentax’s environmental sealing (waterproof, freezeproof, dustproof, shockproof) is outstanding, making the WG-1 GPS a definite choice for adventurous, wet, and dusty locales. However, the smaller sensor limits dynamic range and fine detail, which can blunt the impact of sweeping landscapes.

The NEX-5R, while offering superior image quality with higher dynamic range and resolution (16 MP vs. 14 MP), lacks weather sealing. You’ll need a jacket or protective case in unforgiving conditions. But if you shoot in controlled environments or can shield your gear, its superior sensor and lenses produce exquisitely detailed landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Shooting

The WG-1 GPS’s 1 fps continuous shooting is clearly limited for action, with slow contrast-detection AF. A 5x zoom is moderate, but not enough for high reach wildlife shots, where detailed telephotos are necessary.

Conversely, the NEX-5R shines with a 10 fps burst rate and precise hybrid autofocus that tracks moving subjects efficiently. Paired with Sony’s wide range of telephoto E-mount lenses, it outperforms Pentax by miles for wildlife and sports.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreetness, Size, and Battery Life

Street shooters often prioritize discreet operation and portability. Here the WG-1 GPS’s compactness and ruggedness are big pluses. Its minimal controls also aid in fast reaction without fiddling.

The Sony NEX-5R isn’t pocketable but is still fairly compact for a mirrorless, especially when paired with small primes. Its higher battery life (330 shots vs. 260 for the WG-1) and touchscreen interface make it versatile for day-long travel shoots.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Stabilization

Pentax's impressive 1cm macro focusing distance enables interesting close-ups without additional lenses - suitable for casual macro snaps.

The NEX-5R depends on lenses for macro capability but benefits from superior focusing precision and, often, optical stabilization built into lenses - helpful for handheld macro work.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO Handling

Low-light shooting exposes the limits of smaller sensors quickly. Pentax’s tiny CCD struggles beyond ISO 400–800, with noise degrading image quality rapidly.

Sony’s APS-C CMOS sensor delivers respectable high ISO performance with usable images up to ISO 3200 or even beyond. For astrophotography or night scenes, the NEX-5R is vastly superior, especially when paired with fast lenses.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Features

The WG-1 GPS's max video is 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG, offering basic HD recording but lacking advanced controls or audio inputs.

The NEX-5R captures full HD 1080p at 60fps in AVCHD, includes manual exposure modes during video, and utilizes its touchscreen for focusing. It lacks microphone ports, but the overall video quality and control are much more robust - a notable distinction for vloggers or hybrid shooters.

Professional Use: Reliability, Formats, and Workflow Integration

Pentax doesn’t provide RAW format support on the WG-1 GPS, limiting post-processing flexibility. Its straightforward JPEG output fits casual shooters but frustrates pros who want detailed editing.

Sony supports RAW files (ARW format), a huge advantage for professionals needing extensive dynamic range control and color grading options. The NEX-5R also integrates neatly into workflows using Capture One or Adobe Lightroom.

Technical Aspects: Inside the Cameras

• Build Quality & Weatherproofing: Pentax wins hands down for rugged durability; Sony is more delicate.
• Autofocus: Sony’s hybrid phase and contrast system with 99 points vs Pentax’s 9-point contrast AF.
• Battery Life: Sony with 330 shots per charge outpaces Pentax’s 260 shots.
• Connectivity: Pentax includes GPS and Eye-Fi wireless card support; Sony offers built-in Wi-Fi but no GPS.
• Lens Ecosystem: Sony E-mount boasts 121 lenses from wide to super-telephoto, including many primes; Pentax’s fixed lens limits creative flexibility.
• Price-to-Performance: Pentax is priced around $350, a bargain for durability and simplicity. Sony sits at $750, more expensive but justifiably so for capability and image quality.

Comparing Sample Images Side-by-Side

Seeing is believing:

Pentax WG 1 GPS front Pentax WG 1 GPS screen back Sony NEX 5R front Sony NEX 5R screen back

Here, the Sony samples reveal superior sharpness, lower noise at higher ISO, and better color gradations. Pentax images appear softer with less tonal subtlety but hold up in bright daylight and underwater (thanks to the waterproof build).

Overall Performance Scores Based on Testing

Let’s wrap with some objective scores I’ve compiled from hands-on evaluations and respected DXO benchmarks where applicable.

Sony NEX-5R scores higher across almost all categories, notably image quality, autofocus, and video. Pentax offers decent ruggedness and simplicity but lags overall.

Genre-Specific Strengths and User Recommendations

For Rugged Outdoor Enthusiasts and Casual Shooters: Pentax WG-1 GPS is a no-brainer; you want waterproof, shockproof gear that you won’t baby and easy interface for quick shooting.

For Enthusiasts and Pros Who Want Superior Image Quality and Creative Control: Sony NEX-5R excels with its large sensor, fast autofocus, and lens versatility.

Portrait and Studio Photography: NEX-5R takes it on comfort and quality.

Landscape and Travel: Sony generally edges out for quality but requires extra care; Pentax excels in hostile environments.

Wildlife and Sports: Sony is vastly superior due to autofocus and burst performance.

Vloggers and Video Hobbyists: Sony’s full HD video and tilting screen make it a practical choice.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Pick?

To conclude, if you want a tough-as-nails, ready-when-you-are camera for adventure, with GPS tagging and waterproof casing, Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS serves up simplicity, endurance, and splash-proof reliability at an affordable price.

However, if you prioritize image quality, autofocus accuracy, video versatility, and creative freedom - plus access to an evolving lens lineup - the Sony NEX-5R is a far more compelling system. It’s perfect for enthusiasts and semi-pros who want a compact but capable mirrorless camera that grows with your skills.

In my experience, no camera reigns supreme in all categories. Your needs, budget, and intended photography mostly govern this choice. Whichever you select, understanding these subtle trade-offs guarantees better satisfaction behind the viewfinder.

Happy shooting!

If you found this comparison helpful or want a hands-on look at real-world photos and videos, check out my detailed video reviews linked throughout the article.