• 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 9.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX1 advantages over Pentax WG-2

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.71 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax WG-2 advantages over Sony DSC-HX1

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $499 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    186g vs 515g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 9.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

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Buy the Sony DSC-HX1

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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 P90

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P90
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P90

Pentax WG-2
Nikon P90
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Sony DSC-HX1
Canon SX1 IS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Canon SX1 IS

Pentax WG-2
Canon SX1 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Nikon P100

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P100
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P100

Pentax WG-2
Nikon P100
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Nikon P100

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Sony DSC-HX1
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 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

Sony DSC-HX1
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 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

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