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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Revealed February 2012
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Released July 2011
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony HX9V, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WG-2 GPS (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The WG-2 GPS was announced 7 months after the HX9V which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the WG-2 GPS grades versus the HX9V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Sony HX9V

 WG-2 GPS HX9V 
ReleasedFebruary 2012July 2011More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 HX9V WG-2 GPS 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony HX9V

 WG-2 GPS HX9V 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax WG-2 GPS enjoys physical dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony HX9V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the WG-2 GPS against the HX9V.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-2 GPS and HX9V is 91 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The image here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-2 GPS and HX9V.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of files but you would want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The younger WG-2 GPS will have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography factors
Sony HX9V Portrait photography factors
40
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
38
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
Street photography with Sony HX9V
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography factors
Sony HX9V Sports photography factors
38
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography features
Sony HX9V Travel photography features
70
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition (245g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography factors
Sony HX9V Landscape photography factors
47
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (16MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging information
Sony HX9V Vlogging information
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no microphone support
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no external mic port
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony HX9V
 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-07 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.40 m 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 grams (0.44 lbs) 245 grams (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $300 $328