Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX5

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax WG-2 and Sony HX5, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the WG-2 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The WG-2 was manufactured 21 months after the HX5 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the WG-2 scores vs the HX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio WG-2 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-2 Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WG-2 offers outside dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony HX5 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Pentax WG-2 and Sony HX5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the WG-2 and the HX5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-2 and HX5 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-2 and HX5.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The WG-2 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax WG-2 will offer more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger WG-2 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.