Canon G1 X vs Pentax WG-1000

The Canon PowerShot G1 X and the Pentax WG-1000 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2012 and June 2024. Both the G1X and the WG-1000 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an 1.5-inch (G1X) and a 1/2.3-inch (WG-1000) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 14.2 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon G1 X		Pentax WG-1000
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
28-112mm f/2.8-5.8		27-108mm f/3.0-6.6
14.2 MP – 1.5" sensor		15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/24p Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800		ISO 100-3,200
Optical viewfinder		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 922k dots		2.7" LCD – 230k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
1.9 shutter flaps per second		8 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Waterproof body (15m)
250 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
117 x 81 x 65 mm, 534 g		116 x 69 x 51 mm, 220 g

Check G1X offers at
ebay.com
Check WG-1000 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G1 X and the Pentax WG-1000? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon G1 X and the Pentax WG-1000 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax WG-1000 is notably smaller (16 percent) than the Canon G1 X. Moreover, the WG-1000 is substantially lighter (59 percent) than the G1X. It is noteworthy in this context that the WG-1000 is splash and dust-proof, while the G1X does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the WG-1000 is water-proof up to 15m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
2.		Pentax WG-1000	116 mm	69 mm	51 mm	220 g	300	Y	Jun 2024	EUR 249	amazon.com
3.		Canon 450D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
4.		Canon 500D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	EUR 799	ebay.com
6.		Canon 1100D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	EUR 399	ebay.com
7.		Canon G1 X Mark II	116 mm	74 mm	66 mm	553 g	240	n	Feb 2014	EUR 849	ebay.com
8.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	EUR 599	ebay.com
9.		Canon S120	100 mm	59 mm	29 mm	217 g	230	n	Aug 2013	EUR 499	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX50	123 mm	87 mm	106 mm	595 g	315	n	Sep 2012	EUR 529	ebay.com
11.		Fujifilm XP130	110 mm	71 mm	28 mm	207 g	240	Y	Jan 2018	EUR 219	ebay.com
12.		Leica V-LUX 3	124 mm	81 mm	95 mm	540 g	410	n	Dec 2011	EUR 749	ebay.com
13.		Leica V-LUX 4	125 mm	87 mm	110 mm	588 g	540	n	Sep 2012	EUR 799	ebay.com
14.		Nikon W300	112 mm	66 mm	29 mm	231 g	280	Y	May 2017	EUR 449	ebay.com
15.		Pentax WG-8	118 mm	66 mm	33 mm	242 g	340	Y	Jun 2024	EUR 479	amazon.com
16.		Pentax WG-90	123 mm	62 mm	30 mm	194 g	300	Y	Nov 2023	EUR 379	amazon.com
17.		Ricoh WG-60	123 mm	62 mm	30 mm	193 g	300	Y	Oct 2018	EUR 249	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The WG-1000 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 71 percent) than the G1X, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon G1 X features an 1.5-inch sensor and the Pentax WG-1000 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the WG-1000 is 89 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.85 and 5.6. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the WG-1000 offers a higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 14.2 MP of the G1X. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.33μm versus 4.30μm for the G1X). However, it should be noted that the WG-1000 is much more recent (by 12 years and 4 months) than the G1X, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the WG-1000 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Pentax WG-1000 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the WG-1000 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon G1 X are 21.8 x 16.3 inches or 55.3 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 17.4 x 13.1 inches or 44.2 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 14.5 x 10.9 inches or 36.8 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax WG-1000 are ISO 100 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
2.		Pentax WG-1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.9	12.8	1626	54
3.		Canon 450D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
4.		Canon 500D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
5.		Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
6.		Canon 1100D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
7.		Canon G1 X Mark II	1.5-inch	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	21.5	10.8	581	58
8.		Canon G16	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.0	11.7	230	54
9.		Canon S120	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.3	11.9	246	56
10.		Canon SX50	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	20.3	11.2	179	47
11.		Fujifilm XP130	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.6	12.1	1000	51
12.		Leica V-LUX 3	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	19.7	11.0	430	42
13.		Leica V-LUX 4	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	19.8	11.1	501	43
14.		Nikon W300	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	20.5	12.0	938	50
15.		Pentax WG-8	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.9	12.8	1626	54
16.		Pentax WG-90	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.9	12.8	1570	54
17.		Ricoh WG-60	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.6	12.2	1072	51
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the WG-1000 provides a faster frame rate than the G1X. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/30p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/24p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the G1X has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the WG-1000 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon G1 X and Pentax WG-1000 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9/s	Y	Y
2.		Pentax WG-1000	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	8.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon 450D	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 500D	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon 1100D	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
7.		Canon G1 X Mark II	optional	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	5.2/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon G16	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.2/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon S120	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	Y	1/2000s	12.1/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon SX50	202	n	3.0 / 461	swivel	n	1/2000s	2.2/s	Y	Y
11.		Fujifilm XP130	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Leica V-LUX 3	202	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/2000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Leica V-LUX 4	1312	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Nikon W300	none	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Pentax WG-8	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
16.		Pentax WG-90	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
17.		Ricoh WG-60	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Both the G1X and the WG-1000 have zoom lenses built in. The G1X has a 28-112mm f/2.8-5.8 optic and the WG-1000 offers a 27-108mm f/3.0-6.6 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Pentax provides a wider angle of view at the short end than the Canon, but less tele-photo reach at the long end. The G1X offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G1X and the WG-1000 write their files to SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot G1 X and Pentax WG-1000 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon G1 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Pentax WG-1000	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 450D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon 500D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 650D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 1100D	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon G1 X Mark II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon G16	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Canon S120	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Canon SX50	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Fujifilm XP130	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Leica V-LUX 3	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Leica V-LUX 4	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon W300	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Pentax WG-8	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	3.0	-	-	-
16.		Pentax WG-90	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Ricoh WG-60	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the G1X has a hotshoe, while the WG-1000 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

The WG-1000 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Pentax. In contrast, the G1X has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the G1X was succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark II. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Pentax websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon G1 X or the Pentax WG-1000 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G1 X:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 230k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.0).
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2012).

Advantages of the Pentax WG-1000:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (15.9 vs 14.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 6%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/30p versus 1080/24p).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 1.9 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
• More compact: Is smaller (116x69mm vs 117x81mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 314g or 59 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (300 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 15m).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (71 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 12 years and 4 months of technical progress since the G1X launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the G1X is the clear winner of the match-up (16 : 12 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon G1 X and the Pentax WG-1000 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the G1X or the WG-1000. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
2.		Pentax WG-1000	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2024	EUR 249	amazon.com
3.		Canon 450D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
4.		Canon 500D	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	EUR 799	ebay.com
6.		Canon 1100D	..	80/100	..	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	EUR 399	ebay.com
7.		Canon G1 X Mark II	3/5	+	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	EUR 849	ebay.com
8.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	EUR 599	ebay.com
9.		Canon S120	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	EUR 499	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX50	3/5	+ +	..	72/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	EUR 529	ebay.com
11.		Fujifilm XP130	..	o	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Jan 2018	EUR 219	ebay.com
12.		Leica V-LUX 3	..	..	..	..	..	..	Dec 2011	EUR 749	ebay.com
13.		Leica V-LUX 4	..	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2012	EUR 799	ebay.com
14.		Nikon W300	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	EUR 449	ebay.com
15.		Pentax WG-8	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2024	EUR 479	amazon.com
16.		Pentax WG-90	..	..	..	..	..	..	Nov 2023	EUR 379	amazon.com
17.		Ricoh WG-60	..	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	EUR 249	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

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