Pentax WG-2 vs Sony RX1

Below is a extended overview of the Pentax WG-2 versus Sony RX1, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the WG-2 (1/2.3") and RX1 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The WG-2 was announced 12 months earlier than the RX1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the WG-2 matches up against the RX1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio WG-2 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The whole galleries are available at Pentax WG-2 Gallery & Sony RX1 Gallery.

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-2 enjoys 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) while the Sony RX1 has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

See the Pentax WG-2 versus Sony RX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the WG-2 vs the RX1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the WG-2 and RX1 is 91 and 79 respectively.

In many cases, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-2 and RX1.

Clearly, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The WG-2 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony RX1 will offer you more detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older WG-2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.