Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900
93 Imaging
36 Features
31 Overall
34
54 Imaging
66 Features
62 Overall
64
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Revealed February 2011
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Introduced October 2008
- New Model is Sony A99
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On this page, we will be matching up the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the WG-1 (14MP) and A900 (25MP) and the WG-1 (1/2.3") and A900 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor sizing.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe WG-1 was announced 2 years after the A900 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the WG-1 matches up versus the A900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio WG-1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax WG-1 Gallery & Sony A900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony A900
| WG-1 | A900 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2011 | October 2008 | More modern by 28 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax WG-1
| A900 | WG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 922k | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony A900
| WG-1 | A900 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More exact focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither has Touch screen |
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-1 has physical measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
See the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-1 versus the A900.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-1 and A900 is 93 and 54 respectively.
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The image below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-1 and A900.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The WG-1 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A900 will produce more detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent WG-1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A900 Specifications
| Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 |
| Type | Waterproof | Advanced DSLR |
| Revealed | 2011-02-07 | 2008-10-22 |
| Body design | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 861.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 25 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 6048 x 4032 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
| Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
| Number of lenses | - | 143 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 2.7" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 230k dot | 922k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.74x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 5.0 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 | no built-in flash |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | - | 1/250 seconds |
| 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) | - |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 gr (0.35 pounds) | 895 gr (1.97 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.3 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1431 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 pictures | 880 pictures |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 |
| Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
| Pricing at release | $350 | $2,736 |