• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.2 megapixels
  • 38.00mm - 114.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Samsung i8 advantages over Pentax WG-2

  • Less expensive
    $299 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 30 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    116g vs 186g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    16 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax WG-2 advantages over Samsung i8

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 114 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 8.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 38 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung i8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-2

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 Nikon S52c

Samsung i8
Nikon S52c
  • $186
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $225
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Samsung i8 vs Nikon S52c

Pentax WG-2
Nikon S52c
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
  • $225
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Nikon S52c

Compared to Nikon S52

Samsung i8
Nikon S52
  • $186
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Samsung i8 vs Nikon S52

Pentax WG-2
Nikon S52
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Nikon S52

Compared to Olympus 1040

Samsung i8
Olympus 1040
  • $186
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung i8 vs Olympus 1040

Pentax WG-2
Olympus 1040
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Olympus 1040

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Samsung i8
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $186
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung i8 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 Pentax WG-2 GPS

Samsung i8
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $186
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof

Compare Samsung i8 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

Compare Other Cameras?