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Pentax WG-10

 
Pentax WG-10 front
 
  • 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
  • Launched June 2013
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Pentax WG-10 overview

Pentax WG-10 is Pentax's Waterproof digital camera first launched on June of 2013. The camera comes with a 14MP, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a maximum resolution of 4288 x 3216.

The WG-10 places at #44 out of 75 in Waterproof cameras and all-around #878 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to check out our Smart camera search to find camera listings based on your custom requirements.

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The following is a diagram of different criteria used in the scoring system.

Pentax WG-10 history

The Pentax WG-10 is part of a family of products. You can read the detailed list below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Pentax-WG-3 front thumbnailPentax WG-3
WG-10 vs WG-3
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Pentax-WG-3-GPS front thumbnailPentax WG-3 GPS
WG-10 vs WG-3 GPS
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Pentax-WG-10 front thumbnailPentax WG-1028-140mm
F3.5-5.5
14MP1/2.3"2013
Pentax-Optio-WG-2 front thumbnailPentax WG-2
WG-10 vs WG-2
28-140mm
F3.5-5.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Pentax-Optio-WG-2-GPS front thumbnailPentax WG-2 GPS
WG-10 vs WG-2 GPS
28-140mm
F3.5-5.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Pentax-Optio-WG-1-GPS front thumbnailPentax WG-1 GPS
WG-10 vs WG-1 GPS
28-140mm
F3.5-5.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
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Pentax-Optio-WG-1 front thumbnailPentax WG-1
WG-10 vs WG-1
28-140mm
F3.5-5.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
Pentax-Optio-W90 front thumbnailPentax W90
WG-10 vs W90
28-140mm
F3.5-5.5
12MP1/2.3"2010
Pentax-Optio-WS80 front thumbnailPentax WS80
WG-10 vs WS80
35-175mm
F3.8-4.7
10MP1/2.3"2009
Pentax-Optio-W60 front thumbnailPentax W60
WG-10 vs W60
28-140mm
F3.5-5.5
10MP1/2.3"2009
Pentax-Optio-W80 front thumbnailPentax W80
WG-10 vs W80
28-140mm
F3.5-5.5
12MP1/2.3"2009
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Pentax WG-10 Pros and Cons

Here is a selection of benefits and drawbacks of the Pentax WG-10 based on factors that are generally viewed as useful in a digital camera.

good zoom range (28-140mm 5.0 x zoom)
has built in flash
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has manual focus
includes face detect focus
includes HDMI support
includes tracking focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
pretty wide (28mm)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
cannot use external flash
continuous shooting slow (0.7 fps)
lack of aperture priority mode
manual mode not available
missing headphone jack
missing mic jack
no phase detect auto focus
no RAW support
no shutter priority
pixelated screen (230 k dot)
screen does not articulate
screen is not selfie friendly
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
sluggish at full zoom (f5.5)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
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Pentax WG-10 Sensor information

The dimension of the sensor in the Pentax WG-10 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor can resolve 4288 x 3216 pixels with aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). In body stabilization is better than digital stabilization as the latter may lead to cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 14 megapixels and gives a standard ISO range of 125 - 6400. Sadly, RAW format is not saved which means that you have less margin for error.

The picture below illustrates the WG-10's sensor size in comparison to other popular sizes. The WG-10 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is displayed in green.

Pentax WG-10 sensor size Leica to Release Innovative Hybrid Medium Format Camera in 2 Years

To get an idea of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Pentax WG-10 dimensions

Pentax WG-10 weighs 0.37 pounds (167 grams or 5.89 ounces) and the overall size of the camera is 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1"). The weight of normal Waterproof camera is 195 grams so the Pentax WG-10 is lighter than other rivals.

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The following is a visual of the Pentax WG-10 alongside a soft drink to help you to have a feel for its size.

Pentax WG-10 dimensions scale

The top view here will show you the button arrangement on the WG-10.

Pentax WG-10 topview buttons dials

Pentax WG-10 Lens information

The WG-10 houses an inbuilt lens with a focal range of 28-140mm giving it a 5.0 x zoom which isn't really great however it can be valuable in certain situations.

At it's widest 28mm, the lens provides an aperture of f3.5 which will be kind of sluggish and not ideal in low light conditions and you will likely find it difficult to capture a shallow depth of field. You will probably also have to up your ISO setting giving you noisy shots. Towards the long end, 140mm comes with f5.5 making it quite sluggish and you will have to apply slower shutter speeds.

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Pentax WG-10 Connectivity

The WG-10 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Cameras that have NFC and / or Bluetooth support can easily be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You can send images and at times adjust settings with no need to connect directly with the camera.

A few apps also stream a Liveview and click the shutter in case you aren't close to the camera. If the camera features a HDMI out, it could be connected to an external display. A good number of cameras will allow you to charge the battery with the USB port.

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Pentax WG-10 Video information

The maximum video quality in the Pentax WG-10 is 1280 x 720 and it can save in MPEG-4 and H.264 file format. 720p is low by today's standards. You should really try to get at least FUll HD quality for good video. The body doesn't feature a mic and / or headphone jack which means you get zero control over your sound. It is probably a better idea to buy another camera if you require better sound in your videos.

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Pentax WG-10 Weather Sealing

Pentax WG-10 has weather sealing making it a fantastic choice to use during tough locations. This is especially handy if you are uncertain about the conditions you may face during outdoor photography.

Pentax WG-10 Screen and Viewfinder

The Pentax WG-10 comes with a 2.7" fixed display with a resolution of 230k dots.

Please note that the display screen offers no touch support.

Pentax WG-10 screen and viewfinder Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The ViewFinder specifications regarding Pentax WG-10 are as follows:

  • ViewFinder None

In those bright outdoor conditions that make the camera screens washed out and difficult to view, viewfinders are rather useful.

Pentax WG-10 Shutter information

Pentax WG-10 continuous shooting speed is 0.7 fps. The maximum shutter speed is 1/4000 sec.

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Pentax WG-10 Flash and Hot shoe information

Pentax WG-10 has got just integrated flash lacking external flash ability.

Pentax WG-10 Autofocus information

Pentax WG-10 has got only Contrast Based AF and doesn't have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot snappier and precise than Contrast Based autofocusing. The camera comes with Face detection which can be handy for portraits.

It comes with 9 focus points to choose from. It also has Tracking AF for subjects on the move. Pentax WG-10 can use manual focusing if needed during low light scenarios or you want to have more exact control on focusing.

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Pentax WG-10 Battery life

The battery (D-LI92) on the Pentax WG-10 is fashioned to last for 260 shutters according to the CIPA benchmarks which is about the same as its competition. The general Waterproof camera battery life is 275. Olympus TG-4 has the highest possible (380) battery life within this kind of cameras.

Listed below is a collection of Waterproof cameras having the strongest battery life:

Pentax WG-10 for different types of photography

The following chart indicates a analysis of the Pentax WG-10 for different types of photography. To see more, check out the specific section below.

Pentax WG-10 as a Portrait photography camera

The Pentax WG-10 has a points tally of 39 which is subpar, and means the camera is not acceptable for portrait photos. Shooting portraits leans greatly towards sensor resolution, RAW support along with the ability to utilize off-camera flash.

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you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files

Street photography with Pentax WG-10

Coming in at a nice score of 62, the Pentax WG-10 is a fine choice to use in street photography. A decent street photography camera has a perfect balance of image quality plus portability.

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built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support

Sports photography with Pentax WG-10

A subpar sports photography points tally of 44 indicates the Pentax WG-10 is not acceptable for photographing sports. A camera needs to have very good autofocus and continuous shooting for sports photography.

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image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (0.7 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus

Pentax WG-10 Travel photography information

Size is super crucial when choosing a camera for travel. Over-all, the Pentax WG-10 gets a nice 71 as a travel camera which is a good fit to buy for your holidays.

OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
weather proof
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-10

If you find yourself planning to purchase a digital camera for landscape photography, the biggest factor is going to be image quality. The Pentax WG-10 at it's reasonable rating of 47 for a landscape camera is relatively suitable in the current marketplace.

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has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support

Pentax WG-10 Vlogging information

A camera for vlogging really should offer a moving screen, microphone input and if possible IBIS. Considering all the details, the Pentax WG-10 is not acceptable as a vlog camera as it gets a subpar rating of 30.

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pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket

Pentax WG-10 Alternatives

If you want replacements to the WG-10, below is a number of the highest placed cameras that fall in to the family of Waterproof.

The chart down below will give you a summary of the WG-10 compared to it's top rated rivals mentioned previously.

These are some more cameras you may take a look at as alternate options. To review a complete comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Manufacturer
Pentax
Model type
Pentax WG-10
Type
Waterproof
Launched
2013-06-21
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution
4288 x 3216
RAW pictures
Highest native ISO
6400
Lowest native ISO
125
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points
9
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture
f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range
1cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen size
2.7 inches
Resolution of screen
230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology
Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed
0.7fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance
1.20 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions
1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video data format
MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions
116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
Other
Battery life
260 images
Battery format
Battery Pack
Battery ID
D-LI92
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage
SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots
One
Price at launch
$0