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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Pentax WG-1
(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
  • Announced February 2011
Sony NEX-5
(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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5N
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Pentax WG-1 and Sony NEX-5, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-1 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar but the WG-1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The WG-1 was unveiled 9 months after the NEX-5 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the WG-1 matches up vs the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony NEX-5

 WG-1 NEX-5 
LaunchedFebruary 2011June 2010Newer by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax WG-1

 NEX-5 WG-1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony NEX-5

 WG-1 NEX-5 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-1 offers external measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-1 and Sony NEX-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the WG-1 compared to the NEX-5.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-1 and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The pic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-1 and NEX-5.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The WG-1 provides the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult. The more modern WG-1 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

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

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
35
focusing manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Street photography information
Sony NEX-5 Street photography information
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
76
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
37
MP count decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
52
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography info
71
weather proofing
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
42
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
68
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
28
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone jack
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax Optio WG-1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WG-1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-02-07 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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount 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
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 grams (0.35 pounds) 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" 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 pictures 330 pictures
Form of battery 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $350 $599