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Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
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Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Samsung. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The WG-2 was manufactured 2 years later than the HZ15W and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the WG-2 scores against the HZ15W in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Samsung HZ15W

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

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Pentax WG-2

 HZ15W WG-2 

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 and Samsung HZ15W

 WG-2 HZ15W 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax WG-2 offers external dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has specifications of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the WG-2 compared to the HZ15W.

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-2 and HZ15W is 91 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking specifications. The photograph underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-2 and HZ15W.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-2 to resolve more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher WG-2 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography details
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography details
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
32
manual focus
supports face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-2
Street photography with Samsung HZ15W
54
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
53
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Sports photography info
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography info
38
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Travel photography information
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography information
70
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
54
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (249 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography advice
47
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
41
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (28mm)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
29
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
heavier than competition in class (249 grams)
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Pentax WG-2 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 and Samsung HZ15W
 Pentax Optio WG-2Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Company Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio WG-2 Samsung HZ15W
Also called as - 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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.40 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
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 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)
Maximum 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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 192 grams (0.42 lb) 249 grams (0.55 lb)
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 All around 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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $350 $330