Pentax WG-10 vs Samsung NX1000: Practical Showdown Between a Rugged Waterproof Compact and an Entry-Level Mirrorless

Choosing a camera is never just about specs sheets. I’ve spent years testing and comparing cameras across genres - from dusty landscapes to bustling sports arenas - and what matters most is how these gear pieces perform when you actually press the shutter. Today, let’s dig into a head-to-head comparison of two very different cameras: the Pentax WG-10, a rugged waterproof compact built to survive tough environments, and the Samsung NX1000, an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera known for its versatility and image quality. Both were announced around the same time (2012-2013), yet serve distinct niches.

By the end of this long-form review, you’ll not only know which camera fits your shooting style and budget but also understand the design decisions and real-world trade-offs behind them. I’ll share insights from hands-on use, deep technical analysis, and genre-specific performance considerations to help you make an informed choice.

Let’s start with a quick look at their physical size and ergonomics.

Handling and Build: Compact Ruggedness vs. Rangefinder Style Elegance

Right off the bat, these cameras feel worlds apart in their physical design philosophy. The Pentax WG-10 emphasizes durability and simplicity, while the Samsung NX1000 leans toward the traditional mirrorless rangefinder aesthetic with more classic photo-centric controls.

Pentax WG-10: Built to Brave the Elements

• Body Type: Compact, rugged waterproof
• Dimensions & Weight: 116 x 59 x 29 mm; 167 g (including battery)
• Weather Sealing: Yes - waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof
• Controls: Limited physical controls, no viewfinder, fixed 2.7” LCD

My testing over rugged terrain showed the WG-10’s sturdiness clearly. It’s designed for adventure: you can take it snorkeling, hiking, even snowboarding without worry. The grip is small but comfortable for short shoots, though I wouldn’t recommend it for extended ergonomics-heavy sessions.

Samsung NX1000: Classic Mirrorless Feel

• Body Type: Rangefinder-style mirrorless
• Dimensions & Weight: 114 x 63 x 37 mm; 222 g (including battery)
• Weather Sealing: None (not weather sealed)
• Controls: More physical buttons, modes, shutter dial, no built-in flash

This camera feels solid and well-balanced, especially paired with Samsung’s NX lens lineup. The larger body (in depth) accommodates more manual controls and a bigger 3.0” LCD with higher resolution, improving framing and menu navigation.

While the WG-10 keeps controls minimalistic, the NX1000 offers shutter/aperture priority modes and manual exposure control. This makes the NX1000 more appealing if you want creative control, though you’ll sacrifice ruggedness to get there.

Sensor and Image Quality: Compact CCD vs. APS-C CMOS Powerhouse

Moving beyond the body, image quality is usually a decisive factor. The sensor is the heart of any camera, and here we have stark differences.

Pentax WG-10: Small 1/2.3” CCD Sensor, Modest Resolution

• Sensor: 1/2.3” CCD, 14MP
• Native ISO: 125 - 6400 (no RAW)
• Max Image Size: 4288 x 3216 px
• Image Processor: Not specified
• RAW Support: No - outputs JPEG only

CCD sensors are known for decent color rendition, but the small physical size leads to limited dynamic range and noise performance. In daylight or macro snaps close to the lens (the WG-10 shines at 1cm macro), images are crisp, but shadows and low-light shots often show noise and loss of detail.

Samsung NX1000: APS-C CMOS Sensor with 20MP

• Sensor: APS-C CMOS, 20MP
• Native ISO: 100 - 12800
• Max Image Size: 5472 x 3648 px
• RAW Support: Yes

The NX1000’s larger sensor area (about 13 times bigger) offers superior dynamic range, color depth, and low-light capabilities. In my side-by-side tests, the NX1000 produced richer gradations, deeper blacks, and less chroma noise at ISO 1600 and beyond.

This difference is fundamental if you’re serious about image quality or post-processing flexibility. Plus, the NX1000 supports RAW, essential for professionals.

Interface and Display: Clarity for Composition and Playback

While both cameras lack electronic viewfinders (a surprise in 2013), their LCD screens handle live view and menu navigation differently.

• Pentax WG-10: 2.7” fixed Widescreen TFT LCD, 230k dots, anti-reflective coating
• Samsung NX1000: 3.0” fixed TFT LCD, 921k dots

The higher resolution screen on the NX1000 offers a clear advantage in composition and reviewing images in the field. Pentax’s LCD is smaller with notably lower resolution, which can make judging focus and exposure trickier in bright light, despite the anti-reflective coating.

Also, the NX1000's menu system allows faster access to custom white balance, bracketing, and exposure compensation, whereas the WG-10’s simpler interface reflects its entry-level, rugged design.

Autofocus and Speed: Challenging Environments vs Creative Control

Autofocus (AF) performance often defines whether you miss a key moment.

Pentax WG-10

• AF points: 9 contrast-detection points
• AF Modes: Single AF with tracking, face detection included
• Continuous Shooting: 0.7 fps (slow)
• Live View AF: No phase detection, contrast only

The WG-10’s AF is competent in bright conditions but struggles with moving subjects or low light. The slow 0.7 frames per second continuous shooting rate limits action capture significantly.

Samsung NX1000

• AF points: 15 contrast-detection points
• AF Modes: Single, continuous, face detection
• Continuous Shooting: 8 fps (fast and responsive)
• Live View AF: Yes, contrast detection

The NX1000 shines on autofocus speed and versatility. Contrast detection is relatively quick here, and the 8fps burst rate makes it capable for casual sports or wildlife shooting in good light. However, lack of phase detection and advanced tracking means it’s not for pro sports shooters.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed vs Expandable

One major difference is the WG-10’s fixed lens versus the NX1000’s interchangeable system.

Pentax WG-10

• Lens: Fixed 28-140mm equivalent (5x zoom), f/3.5-5.5
• Macro Focus: Down to 1 cm, great for close-up shots
• Image Stabilization: Sensor-shift IS

The WG-10 delivers a respectable zoom range for an adventure compact, and its macro capability is impressive. The built-in stabilization helps reduce handshake but cannot compensate for the inherent limitations of the small sensor.

Samsung NX1000

• Lens Mount: Samsung NX mount
• Lens Options: Over 30 lenses available (primes, zooms, macro, wide)
• Image Stabilization: Lens-based (varies by lens)

For creative flexibility - the NX system is a winner here. You can swap to bright primes for portraits, telephotos for wildlife, or macro lenses for close-ups. This adaptability makes the NX1000 a valuable investment for photographers looking to explore different genres.

Weather Resistance and Durability: The Toughness Factor

If you’re the kind to take your camera poolside or on rugged hikes, durability and weather sealing are key.

Pentax WG-10

• Waterproof to 10m (33 ft)
• Shockproof to 1.5m drop
• Crushproof to 100 kgf (kilogram-force)
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Dustproof

This spec sheet reads like an outdoor adventurer’s dream. I’ve used the WG-10 fishing in wet conditions and even in the rain without any issues. Its reputation for reliability in harsh environments is well-earned.

Samsung NX1000

• No weather sealing or rugged features
• Sensitive to dust and moisture; avoid harsh weather or use protective gear

The NX1000 is better suited for controlled shooting environments or fair weather. If you want mirrorless image quality outdoors, you’ll need to carry extra protection.

Video Performance: Casual Capture vs High Definition Quality

Video is a significant part of modern photography gear.

• Pentax WG-10: 1280 x 720 HD (60/30 fps)
• Samsung NX1000: Full HD 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), plus 24 fps at 1920 x 810
• Both record in MPEG-4 / H.264

The NX1000 delivers noticeably better quality video, with full HD 1080p recording at 30 fps, which is still good by today’s basic standards. The WG-10’s 720p max resolution is adequate for casual snorkeling clips but won't satisfy videographers.

Neither camera offers external mic input or headphone monitoring, limiting audio control for serious work. Neither has in-body stabilization aside from WG-10’s sensor-shift IS for photos, which doesn’t extend to video.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

• Pentax WG-10: Around 260 shots per charge (D-LI92 battery)
• Samsung NX1000: About 320 shots per charge (BC1030 battery)

Shooting endurance is moderate on both cameras for their segment. The NX1000 wins slightly due to CMOS sensor and power management. You get SD card storage on both, with no dual slots (typical for their classes). The WG-10 offers internal memory as a backup, a helpful touch.

Practical Genre-by-Genre Performance

Let’s break down how these two cameras fare across photography disciplines. The chart below summarizes my findings based on field testing:

Portraits

• Samsung NX1000: Better autofocus precision, higher resolution, and interchangeable lenses (fast primes) deliver excellent subject isolation and bokeh control.
• Pentax WG-10: Fixed zoom lens with limited aperture range makes shallow depth-of-field challenging. Face detection helps, but doesn’t replace creative control.

Landscapes

• Samsung NX1000: Superior dynamic range, high resolution, and RAW support make landscapes pop with detail and tonality.
• Pentax WG-10: Compact size and waterproofing allow for shooting in harsh environments (waterfalls, rain), but dynamic range and resolution limit image quality.

Wildlife/Sports

• Samsung NX1000: Burst speed (8 fps) and better AF help capture quick wildlife and sports moments.
• Pentax WG-10: Slow 0.7 fps continuous shooting and limited AF area make it unsuitable for fast action.

Street Photography

• Pentax WG-10: Compact, discrete, and weatherproof, ideal for unpredictable street conditions.
• Samsung NX1000: Bulkier and less discreet but faster AF and better IQ.

Macro Photography

• Pentax WG-10: Macro focusing down to 1 cm is impressive, sensor-shift IS helps.
• Samsung NX1000: Dependent on lens; many macro lenses available, better image quality but less portable.

Night/Astro Photography

• Samsung NX1000: Higher ISO range and better low-light handling perform significantly better at night scenes.
• Pentax WG-10: Limited ISO and noise control struggle in low light.

Video

• Samsung NX1000: Full HD, better frame rates.
• Pentax WG-10: HD only, for casual video.

Travel Photography

• Pentax WG-10: Rugged, compact, ready for adventures, easy to carry and forget.
• Samsung NX1000: More versatile but requires care, extra lenses, and less weatherproof.

Professional Work

• Samsung NX1000: RAW files, manual controls, and lens options make it a better start for pros.
• Pentax WG-10: Strictly a rugged point-and-shoot; limited professional use.

Real-World Image Samples: What to Expect

Here’s a side-by-side of sample images from both cameras:

Pentax WG 10 front Pentax WG 10 screen back Samsung NX1000 screen back

You’ll notice how the Samsung NX1000’s samples show more detail, better color fidelity, and cleaner shadow areas. The Pentax WG-10 delivers punchy colors but falls short on fine detail and low-light performance.

Overall Performance and Value Assessment

Finally, here’s how the cameras stack overall based on tested metrics:

The NX1000 scores higher in almost every category except ruggedness and waterproofing. It’s also significantly more expensive (around $388 new vs. practically free on the used market for the WG-10).

The WG-10’s value lies in niche situations where durability and pocketability outweigh optical and sensor performance.

Wrapping Up: Recommendations Based on Your Needs and Budget

Choose the Pentax WG-10 if you:

• Need an ultra-rugged, waterproof camera for hiking, snorkeling, or extreme outdoor usage
• Prefer a simple point-and-shoot experience without fussing over settings
• Shoot mostly in bright conditions, close-up macro, or casual everyday use where durability is paramount
• Are on a tight budget or want a "throw-it-in-your-backpack" adventure camera

Choose the Samsung NX1000 if you:

• Want substantial image quality improvements with an APS-C sensor and RAW files
• Value interchangeable lenses for creative versatility
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports and need manual exposure control
• Want better video quality and faster autofocus

My Take:
If my goal is picture quality and flexibility - and I can protect my gear from the elements - I’d reach for the Samsung NX1000 every time. The sensor size difference alone is a game-changer. Conversely, for adventure travel where reliability and ruggedness matter more than pixel count, the Pentax WG-10 is a trusty companion.

Don’t overlook how differently these cameras approach photography. The WG-10 is an indestructible eager beaver, perfect for grab-and-go adventure snaps. The NX1000 is your creative partner on controlled shoots, in studios, or nature trips.

In a perfect world, I’d have both in my bag.

Summary Table

Do you have questions about using these cameras for specific projects? Or need recommendations for third-party accessories? Feel free to ask - I’m always happy to share practical advice from years behind the viewfinder.