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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 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
  • Announced February 2011
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Revealed September 2014
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax WG-1 and Sony QX30, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Lens-style by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the WG-1 (14MP) and QX30 (20MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-1 was launched 4 years prior to the QX30 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the WG-1 scores against the QX30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony QX30

 WG-1 QX30 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display sizing2.7""Larger display (+2.7")
Display resolution230k0kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax WG-1

 QX30 WG-1 
RevealedSeptember 2014February 2011Fresher by 43 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony QX30

 WG-1 QX30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-1 comes with outer dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony QX30 has dimensions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-1 and Sony QX30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the WG-1 versus the QX30.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-1 and QX30 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-1 and QX30.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony QX30 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The older WG-1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
Portrait photography with Sony QX30
35
manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
38
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Street photography factors
Sony QX30 Street photography factors
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Sports photography details
Sony QX30 Sports photography details
37
MP count decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Travel photography camera
71
environment proofing
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery life (200 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography factors
Sony QX30 Landscape photography factors
42
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
environment proofing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
39
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (")
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery life (200 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Vlogging details
Sony QX30 Vlogging details
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
35
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no mic support
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 and Sony QX30
 Pentax Optio WG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Category Waterproof Lens-style
Announced 2011-02-07 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches -
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 grams (0.35 lbs) 193 grams (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $348