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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced February 2012
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Succeeded the Sony A99
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Pentax WG-2 GPS versus Sony A99 II, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the WG-2 GPS (16MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the WG-2 GPS (1/2.3") and A99 II (Full frame) use different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The WG-2 GPS was brought out 5 years earlier than the A99 II which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-2 GPS being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the WG-2 GPS scores versus the A99 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Sony A99 II

 WG-2 GPS A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 A99 II WG-2 GPS 
IntroducedSeptember 2016February 2012More modern by 56 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k460kClearer display (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony A99 II

 WG-2 GPS A99 II 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-2 GPS features exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WG-2 GPS versus Sony A99 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-2 GPS and the A99 II.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-2 GPS and A99 II is 91 and 57 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The image here should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-2 GPS and A99 II.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The WG-2 GPS because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A99 II will provide you with greater detail having its extra 26MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged WG-2 GPS will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Portrait photography with Sony A99 II
40
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
86
you can focus manually
amazing megapixels (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography advice
Sony A99 II Street photography advice
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography advice
Sony A99 II Sports photography advice
38
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography advice
Sony A99 II Travel photography advice
70
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
amazing megapixels (42MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography factors
Sony A99 II Landscape photography factors
47
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
82
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
low battery (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Vlogging with Sony A99 II
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no mic support
78
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic support
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony A99 II
 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPSSony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-02-07 2016-09-19
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 399
Cross focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 gr (0.44 lbs) 849 gr (1.87 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 2317
Other
Battery life 260 images 490 images
Battery style Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots 1 2
Price at launch $300 $3,198