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Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A7 IV

The Pentax WG-8 and the Sony Alpha A7 IV are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in June 2024 and October 2021. The WG-8 is a fixed lens compact, while the A7 IV is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (WG-8) and a full frame (A7 IV) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 32.7 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Pentax WG-8
versus
Sony A7 IV
Pentax WG-8   Sony A7 IV
Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 Sony E mount lenses
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 32.7 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video 4K/60p Video
ISO 125-6,400 ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 204,800)
No viewfinder, LCD framing Electronic viewfinder (3686k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1037k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
no shake reductionIn-body stabilization
Waterproof body (20m)Weathersealed body
340 shots per battery charge580 shots per battery charge
118 x 66 x 33 mm, 242 g 131 x 96 x 80 mm, 659 g
logo
Check WG-8 price at
amazon.com
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Check A7 IV price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony Alpha A7 IV? 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.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony A7 IV. 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 size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The WG-8 can be obtained in two different colors (black, green), while the A7 IV is only available in black.

Size Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A7 IV
Compare WG-8 versus A7 IV top
Comparison WG-8 or A7 IV rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7 IV is considerably larger (61 percent) than the Pentax WG-8. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments. More than that, the WG-8 is water-proof up to 20m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the WG-8 has a lens built in, whereas the A7 IV is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the A7 IV and their specifications in the Sony FE Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the WG-8 gets 340 shots out of its Ricoh DB-110 battery, while the A7 IV can take 580 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FZ100 power pack. The power pack in the A7 IV can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. 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.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax WG-8 118 mm 66 mm 33 mm 242 g 340 Y Jun 2024 US$ 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Sony A7 IV 131 mm 96 mm 80 mm 659 g 580 Y Oct 2021 US$ 2 499 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX720 110 mm 64 mm 36 mm 270 g 250 n Feb 2016 US$ 379ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon W300 112 mm 66 mm 29 mm 231 g 280 Y May 2017 US$ 389ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic FT7 117 mm 76 mm 37 mm 319 g 300 Y May 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000 116 mm 69 mm 51 mm 220 g 300 Y Jun 2024 US$ 229 amazon.com
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6 118 mm 66 mm 33 mm 246 g 340 Y Feb 2019 US$ 399 amazon.com
8.
 
Sony A1 129 mm 97 mm 81 mm 737 g 530 Y Jan 2021 US$ 6 499 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7 III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 610 Y Feb 2018 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7R IIIA 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Apr 2021 US$ 3 199 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7R V 131 mm 97 mm 82 mm 723 g 530 Y Oct 2022 US$ 3 899 amazon.com
12.
 
Sony A7S III 127 mm 97 mm 81 mm 699 g 600 Y Jul 2020 US$ 3 499 amazon.com
13.
 
Sony HX80 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 390 n Mar 2016 US$ 349ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX95 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 US$ 429ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX99 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
16.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 US$ 399ebay.com
17.
 
Sony ZV-1 II 106 mm 60 mm 47 mm 292 g 290 n May 2023 US$ 899 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The WG-8 was launched at a lower price than the A7 IV, despite having a lens built in. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the 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 Pentax WG-8 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Sony A7 IV a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7 IV is 2964 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.0. The sensor in the WG-8 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A7 IV offers a 3:2 aspect.

Pentax WG-8 and Sony A7 IV sensor measures

With 32.7MP, the A7 IV offers a higher resolution than the WG-8 (20.2MP), but the A7 IV nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.12μm versus 1.18μm for the WG-8) due to its larger sensor. However, the WG-8 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 7 months) than the A7 IV, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A7 IV implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A7 IV for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 35 x 23.4 inches or 89 x 59.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 28 x 18.7 inches or 71.2 x 47.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 23.4 x 15.6 inches or 59.3 x 39.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax WG-8 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A7 IV has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Pentax WG-8 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A7 IV are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

In terms of underlying technology, the WG-8 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A7 IV uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

WG-8 versus A7 IV MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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 following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax WG-8 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.912.8162654
2.
 
Sony A7 IV Full Frame 32.7 7008 46724K/60p25.414.7337997
3.
 
Canon SX720 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.881748
4.
 
Nikon W300 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.512.093850
5.
 
Panasonic FT7 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1102851
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.912.8162654
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.712.2110452
8.
 
Sony A1 Full Frame 49.8 8640 57608k/30p25.914.5316398
9.
 
Sony A7 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7373096
10.
 
Sony A7R IIIA Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
11.
 
Sony A7R V Full Frame 60.2 9504 63368k/24p26.514.83187100
12.
 
Sony A7S III Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/120p23.713.9252086
13.
 
Sony HX80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.411.882248
14.
 
Sony HX95 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105751
15.
 
Sony HX99 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105851
16.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
17.
 
Sony ZV-1 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.312.996567
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A7 IV provides a faster frame rate than the WG-8. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Pentax is limited to 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A7 IV has an electronic viewfinder (3686k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the WG-8 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Pentax WG-8 and Sony A7 IV along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty 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.
 
Pentax WG-8none n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A7 IV3686 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon SX720none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Nikon W300none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Panasonic FT71170 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/1300s 10.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000none n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 8.0/s Y n
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6none n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 1.0/s Y n
8.
 
Sony A19437 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Sony A7 III2359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
10.
 
Sony A7R IIIA3686 n3.0 / 2340 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A7R V9440 n3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
12.
 
Sony A7S III9440 n3.0 / 1440 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
13.
 
Sony HX80638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony HX95638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony HX99638 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony ZV-1 IInone n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/2000s 24.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The WG-8 has one, while the A7 IV does not. While the built-in flash of the WG-8 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The A7 IV has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the WG-8 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Pentax WG-8 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The WG-8 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A7 IV uses CFexpress (type A) or SDXC cards. The A7 IV features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the WG-8 only has one slot. The A7 IV supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the WG-8 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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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 Pentax WG-8 and Sony Alpha A7 IV and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax WG-8-mono / mono---3.0---
2.
 
Sony A7 IVYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Canon SX720-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Nikon W300-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Panasonic FT7-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000-mono / mono---2.0---
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6-mono / mono--micro3.0---
8.
 
Sony A1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
9.
 
Sony A7 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
10.
 
Sony A7R IIIAYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
11.
 
Sony A7R VYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
12.
 
Sony A7S IIIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
13.
 
Sony HX80-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony HX95-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
15.
 
Sony HX99-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
16.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony ZV-1 IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y

It is notable that the A7 IV offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the WG-8 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the WG-8 and the A7 IV are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The A7 IV replaced the earlier Sony A7 III, while the WG-8 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Pentax and Sony websites.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Pentax WG-8 or the Sony A7 IV – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Pentax WG-8:

  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the A7 IV requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (118x66mm vs 131x96mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the A7 IV).
  • Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 20m).
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 7 months of technical progress since the A7 IV launch.

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha A7 IV:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (32.7 vs 20.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 30%.
  • 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.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/60p versus 4K/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (580 versus 340) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards on both slots.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in October 2021).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A7 IV is the clear winner of the contest (26 : 8 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.

WG-8 08:26 A7 IV

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony A7 IV place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the WG-8 and the A7 IV in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax WG-8............ Jun 2024 US$ 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Sony A7 IV5/5+ +4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2021 US$ 2 499 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX720..+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2016 US$ 379ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon W300..+....4/54/5 May 2017 US$ 389ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic FT7..+....3.5/53.5/5 May 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax WG-1000............ Jun 2024 US$ 229 amazon.com
7.
 
Ricoh WG-6........3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2019 US$ 399 amazon.com
8.
 
Sony A15/5o4.5/593/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2021 US$ 6 499 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7 III..+ +4.5/589/1005/55/5 Feb 2018 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7R IIIA..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2021 US$ 3 199 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7R V5/5+ +4.5/592/100.... Oct 2022 US$ 3 899 amazon.com
12.
 
Sony A7S III4.5/5+ +5/591/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2020 US$ 3 499 amazon.com
13.
 
Sony HX80............ Mar 2016 US$ 349ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX95............ Aug 2018 US$ 429ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX99........4/54.5/5 Aug 2018 US$ 449ebay.com
16.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 US$ 399ebay.com
17.
 
Sony ZV-1 II4.5/5..3.5/583/1003.5/54.5/5 May 2023 US$ 899 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Check WG-8 price at
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Check A7 IV price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A7 IV

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Pentax WG-8 Sony A7 IV
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date June 2024 October 2021
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 2,499
    Sensor Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A7 IV
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 35.9 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 858.01 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 43.1 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels 32.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3888 pixels 7008 x 4672 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.18 μm 5.12 μm
    Pixel Density 71.80 MP/cm2 3.82 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 4K/60p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 50 - 204,800 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 97
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 25.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 14.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 3379
    Screen Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A7 IV
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x
    Viewfinder Resolution 3686k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A7 IV
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/4000sYES
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image Stabilizationno shake reductionIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CFexA or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no Dual UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A7 IV
    External Flash no Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 3.2
    HDMI Port no HDMI full HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Pentax WG-8 Sony A7 IV
    Environmental SealingWaterproof body (20m)Weathersealed body
    Battery Type Ricoh DB-110 Sony NP-FZ100
    Battery Life (CIPA)340 shots per charge580 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 118 x 66 x 33 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.3 in)
    131 x 96 x 80 mm
    (5.2 x 3.8 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 242 g (8.5 oz) 659 g (23.2 oz)
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    Check WG-8 price at
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    Check A7 IV price at
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