Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


91 Imaging
43 Features
56 Overall
48
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500 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
- Revealed February 2011
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Released April 2015
- Old Model is Sony WX350

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500 Overview
Its time to look a bit more closely at the Pentax WG-1 versus Sony WX500, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the WG-1 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The WG-1 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the WG-1 grades versus the WX500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio WG-1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax WG-1 Gallery & Sony WX500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony WX500
WG-1 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Pentax WG-1
WX500 | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 50 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony WX500
WG-1 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax WG-1 features external dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).
See the Pentax WG-1 versus Sony WX500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the WG-1 compared to the WX500.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-1 and WX500 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by looking at specs. The image below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-1 and WX500.
All in all, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony WX500 to resolve extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged WG-1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony WX500 Specifications
Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2011-02-07 | 2015-04-14 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
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 | 18MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.90 m | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 157 gr (0.35 lbs) | 236 gr (0.52 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 images | 360 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $350 | $348 |