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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V

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

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Pentax WG-2
(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
  • Released 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
  • Introduced July 2011
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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Pentax WG-2 versus Sony HX9V, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-2 (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WG-2 was introduced 7 months later than the HX9V and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the WG-2 scores against the HX9V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Sony HX9V

 WG-2 HX9V 
IntroducedFebruary 2012July 2011Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Pentax WG-2

 HX9V WG-2 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 and Sony HX9V

 WG-2 HX9V 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-2 offers physical dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WG-2 versus Sony HX9V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the WG-2 versus the HX9V.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-2 and HX9V is 91 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-2 and HX9V.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photos but you should factor the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher WG-2 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Portrait photography camera
40
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detection focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
39
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Street photography info
Sony HX9V Street photography info
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Sports photography camera
38
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX9V Travel photography highlights
70
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition (245g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2
Landscape photography with Sony HX9V
47
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Vlogging advice
Sony HX9V Vlogging advice
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
supports face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic port
33
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (245g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 and Sony HX9V
 Pentax Optio WG-2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WG-2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-02-07 2011-07-19
Physical type 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.40 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 192 gr (0.42 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Physical 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 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 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $350 $328