• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Pentax WG-2

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax WG-2 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Aggressive, sculpted armor design screams adventure; Shooting is easy and fun, producing good image quality; No-slip surfaces make camera easy to hold; LCD works well in bright sunlight; Unique Macro and Digital Microscope modes.

  • Difficult to view LCD screen underwater; Poor button layout; No optical or sensor-shift image stabilization; No high-speed full-resolution burst mode.

  • Read our Pentax WG-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Olympus E-PL3
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-P3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-P3

Pentax WG-2
Olympus E-P3
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Pentax WG-2
Olympus E-PM1
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Pentax WG-2 GPS

Olympus E-PL3
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5

Pentax WG-2
Panasonic GF5
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Panasonic GF5

Compare Other Cameras?