Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1
91 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38


67 Imaging
32 Features
36 Overall
33
Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1 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
- Revealed February 2012
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1440 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
- Introduced April 2009

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1 Overview
In this write-up, we are contrasting the Pentax WG-2 and Sony HX1, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the WG-2 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

The WG-2 was brought out 2 years after the HX1 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the WG-2 matches up against the HX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio WG-2 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-2 Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Sony HX1
WG-2 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2012 | ![]() | April 2009 | More modern by 35 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Pentax WG-2
HX1 | WG-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax WG-2 and Sony HX1
WG-2 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch display |
Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WG-2 has got exterior dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has specifications of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).
See the Pentax WG-2 and Sony HX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the WG-2 vs the HX1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-2 and HX1 is 91 and 67 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The image here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-2 and HX1.
To sum up, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The WG-2 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax WG-2 will offer more detail having its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The newer WG-2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX1 Specifications
Pentax Optio WG-2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio WG-2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2012-02-07 | 2009-04-22 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 9 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3456 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
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 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.40 m | 9.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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) | 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1440x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 192 grams (0.42 pounds) | 544 grams (1.20 pounds) |
Dimensions | 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI92 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $350 | $47,999 |