• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax WG-2 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Pentax WG-2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
    8.6 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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

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

Olympus E-PL9
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Compared to 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

Olympus E-PL9
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Pentax WG-2
Olympus TG-850
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Olympus TG-850

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus TG-850
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax WG-2
Panasonic GX85
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Pentax WG-2
Olympus E-PL8
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL8

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