Clicky

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
 
Samsung TL500 front
Portability
88
Imaging
34
Features
54
Overall
42

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 Key Specs

Pentax WG-1
(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
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2011
Samsung TL500
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-72mm (F1.8-2.4) lens
  • 386g - 114 x 63 x 29mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Alternative Name is EX1
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Samsung. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the WG-1 (14MP) and TL500 (10MP) and the WG-1 (1/2.3") and TL500 (1/1.7") posses totally different sensor size.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The WG-1 was revealed 8 months later than the TL500 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the WG-1 grades vs the TL500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Samsung TL500

 WG-1 TL500 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011July 2010Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Samsung TL500 over the Pentax WG-1

 TL500 WG-1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Samsung TL500

 WG-1 TL500 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax WG-1 comes with exterior measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Samsung TL500 has specifications of 114mm x 63mm x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 386 grams (0.85 lbs).

See the Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the WG-1 versus the TL500.

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the WG-1 and TL500 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-1 and TL500.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The WG-1 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax WG-1 will provide greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer WG-1 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography highlights
Samsung TL500 Portrait photography highlights
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
40
you can focus manually
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Street photography camera
Samsung TL500 as a Street photography camera
54
weather sealing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
66
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (386 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Sports photography info
Samsung TL500 Sports photography info
37
MP count good (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung TL500 as a Travel photography camera
71
weather sealing
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
64
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (386g)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung TL500 Landscape photography highlights
42
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
MP count good (14MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
52
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no Timelapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Vlogging highlights
Samsung TL500 Vlogging highlights
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
64
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone port
more heavy than competition (386 grams)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax WG-1 vs Samsung TL500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 and Samsung TL500
 Pentax Optio WG-1Samsung TL500
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio WG-1 Samsung TL500
Also referred to as - EX1
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-02-07 2010-07-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-72mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/1.8-2.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow syncro, Manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 grams (0.35 lb) 386 grams (0.85 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 114 x 63 x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 40
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 129
Other
Battery life 260 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 SLB-07A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $350 $527