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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Also Known as WB550
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Samsung HZ15W, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the WG-2 GPS (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WG-2 GPS was introduced 2 years later than the HZ15W and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the WG-2 GPS scores versus the HZ15W when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Samsung HZ15W

 WG-2 GPS HZ15W 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009More recent by 36 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 HZ15W WG-2 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Samsung HZ15W

 WG-2 GPS HZ15W 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-2 GPS features outer dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Samsung HZ15W in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the WG-2 GPS versus the HZ15W.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-2 GPS and HZ15W is 91 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The photograph here might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-2 GPS and HZ15W.

Plainly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax WG-2 GPS to provide you with extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The younger WG-2 GPS is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
39
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
31
focusing manually
includes face detect focusing
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
54
weather proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
37
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
70
weather proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (249g)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ15W
47
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good MP (16 megapixels)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
40
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (28mm)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic socket
28
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competition (249 grams)
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 GPS and Samsung HZ15W
 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPSSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS Samsung HZ15W
Also called - WB550
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-07 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.40 m 4.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198g (0.44 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $300 $330