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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 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 W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-1 (14MP) and the W650 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The WG-1 was announced 11 months prior to the W650 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the WG-1 scores vs the W650 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony W650

 WG-1 W650 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Pentax WG-1

 W650 WG-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2011Newer by 11 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony W650

 WG-1 W650 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-1 provides exterior 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 W650 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the WG-1 and the W650.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the WG-1 and W650 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The pic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-1 and W650.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony W650 to provide greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged WG-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W650 Portrait photography highlights
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
34
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony W650 as a Street photography camera
54
environment proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (124 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
Sports photography with Sony W650
37
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Travel photography info
Sony W650 Travel photography info
71
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition (124g)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1
Landscape photography with Sony W650
42
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
environment proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
43
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W650 as a Vlogging camera
25
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
33
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition (124g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 and Sony W650
 Pentax Optio WG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-07 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
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 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157g (0.35 pounds) 124g (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 220 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $350 $140