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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 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
  • Launched February 2011
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A350
  • New Model is Sony A390
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-1 (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is very similar but the WG-1 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The WG-1 was released 18 months later than the A380 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the WG-1 matches up against the A380 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony A380

 WG-1 A380 
ReleasedFebruary 2011August 2009More recent by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax WG-1

 A380 WG-1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony A380

 WG-1 A380 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WG-1 provides physical dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Look at the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the WG-1 against the A380.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-1 and A380 is 93 and 68 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The photograph here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-1 and A380.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The WG-1 uses the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field harder. The younger WG-1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
Portrait photography with Sony A380
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
71
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-1
Street photography with Sony A380
54
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
76
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Sports photography advice
Sony A380 Sports photography advice
37
good resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
59
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A380 as a Travel photography camera
71
weather sealing
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (500 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A380 as a Landscape photography camera
42
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good resolution (14MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
9
no video recording
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 and Sony A380
 Pentax Optio WG-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WG-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-02-07 2009-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 gr (0.35 lb) 519 gr (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life 260 images 500 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $350 $899