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Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Pentax WG-10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax WG-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2013
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax WG-10 versus Sony A550, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-10 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the WG-10 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The WG-10 was revealed 3 years after the A550 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax WG-10 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the WG-10 grades vs the A550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-10 over the Sony A550

 WG-10 A550 
LaunchedJune 2013December 2009More modern by 43 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax WG-10

 A550 WG-10 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WG-10 and Sony A550

 WG-10 A550 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-10 provides physical dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WG-10 versus Sony A550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the WG-10 and the A550.

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-10 and A550 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing specs. The pic below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-10 and A550.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The WG-10 includes the smaller sensor which is going to make getting bokeh more challenging. The fresher WG-10 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-10
Portrait photography with Sony A550
39
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-10 Street photography factors
Sony A550 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-10 Sports photography highlights
Sony A550 Sports photography highlights
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (0.7 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-10 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
71
weather proofing
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-10
Landscape photography with Sony A550
47
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
66
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
not so great battery pack (480 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-10 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
30
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
9
no video recording
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Pentax WG-10 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-10 and Sony A550
 Pentax WG-10Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax WG-10 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-06-21 2009-12-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
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 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 0.7 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 1.20 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167g (0.37 lbs) 632g (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 260 images 480 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $749