Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500
91 Imaging
38 Features
37 Overall
37
63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
- Introduced February 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced August 2009
- Refreshed by Sony A560
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500 Overview
The following is a thorough comparison of the Pentax WG-2 and Sony A500, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and A500 (12MP) and the WG-2 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe WG-2 was brought out 2 years after the A500 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summation of how the WG-2 grades against the A500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio WG-2 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax WG-2 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Sony A500
| WG-2 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2012 |  | August 2009 | Newer by 30 months |
| Display resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax WG-2
| A500 | WG-2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax WG-2 and Sony A500
| WG-2 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial precise focusing | ||
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither features selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-2 enjoys outside measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Check out the Pentax WG-2 and Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the WG-2 vs the A500.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-2 and A500 is 91 and 63 respectively.
Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The image here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-2 and A500.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The WG-2 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax WG-2 will produce greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The younger WG-2 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.
Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsStreet Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesSports Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesTravel Comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraLandscape Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideVlogging Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
Pentax WG-2 vs Sony A500 Specifications
| Pentax Optio WG-2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax Optio WG-2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
| Type | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2012-02-07 | 2009-08-27 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4272 x 2848 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 125 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
| Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 143 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 5.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.40 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
| 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) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 192g (0.42 lb) | 630g (1.39 lb) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 photographs | 520 photographs |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Price at release | $350 | $638 |