Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced October 2011
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
- New Model is Sony NEX-5R

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Here is a in depth assessment of the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-1 (14MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively well matched but the WG-1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

The WG-1 was revealed 7 months before the NEX-5N which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the WG-1 scores vs the NEX-5N in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio WG-1 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are provided at Pentax WG-1 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony NEX-5N
WG-1 | NEX-5N |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax WG-1
NEX-5N | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2011 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 7 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony NEX-5N
WG-1 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax WG-1 enjoys outside dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Examine the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the WG-1 and the NEX-5N.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-1 and NEX-5N is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by looking at specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-1 and NEX-5N.
To sum up, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The WG-1 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-5N will give you greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older WG-1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-02-07 | 2011-10-03 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor 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 | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection 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 | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.90 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | 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 | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 gr (0.35 lb) | 269 gr (0.59 lb) |
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 All around score | not tested | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 photographs | 460 photographs |
Battery format | 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 feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $350 | $550 |