Pentax WG-8 vs Sony ZV-1F

The Pentax WG-8 and the Sony ZV-1F are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2024 and October 2022. Both the WG-8 and the ZV-1F are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 1/2.3-inch (WG-8) and an one-inch (ZV-1F) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20 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		Sony ZV-1F
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
28-140mm f/3.5-5.5		20mm f/2.0
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		20 MP – 1" sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 125-6,400		ISO 125-12,800 (80 - 25,600)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots		3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second		16 shutter flaps per second
Waterproof body (20m)		not weather sealed
340 shots per battery charge		360 shots per battery charge
118 x 66 x 33 mm, 242 g		106 x 60 x 46 mm, 256 g

Check WG-8 price at
amazon.com
Check ZV-1F 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 ZV-1F? 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

The physical size and weight of the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony ZV-1F are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The WG-8 can be obtained in two different colors (black, green), while the ZV-1F is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony ZV-1F is notably smaller (18 percent) than the Pentax WG-8. However, the ZV-1F is markedly heavier (6 percent) than the WG-8. It is worth mentioning in this context that the WG-8 is splash and dust resistant, while the ZV-1F does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the WG-8 is water-proof up to 20m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

Concerning battery life, the WG-8 gets 340 shots out of its Ricoh DB-110 battery, while the ZV-1F can take 360 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-BX1 power pack. The power pack in the ZV-1F can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

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.		Pentax WG-8	118 mm	66 mm	33 mm	242 g	340	Y	Jun 2024	US$ 399	amazon.com
2.		Sony ZV-1F	106 mm	60 mm	46 mm	256 g	360	n	Oct 2022	US$ 499	amazon.com
3.		Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	US$ 379	ebay.com
4.		Nikon W300	112 mm	66 mm	29 mm	231 g	280	Y	May 2017	US$ 389	ebay.com
5.		Panasonic TS7	117 mm	76 mm	37 mm	319 g	300	Y	May 2018	US$ 449	ebay.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 HX80	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	390	n	Mar 2016	US$ 349	ebay.com
9.		Sony HX90V	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	360	n	Apr 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
10.		Sony HX95	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	US$ 429	ebay.com
11.		Sony HX99	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
12.		Sony RX100 II	102 mm	58 mm	38 mm	281 g	350	n	Jun 2013	US$ 749	ebay.com
13.		Sony RX100 III	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	290 g	320	n	May 2014	US$ 799	ebay.com
14.		Sony RX100 IV	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	298 g	280	n	Jun 2015	US$ 999	ebay.com
15.		Sony RX100 V	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	299 g	220	n	Oct 2016	US$ 999	ebay.com
16.		Sony WX800	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	233 g	370	n	Oct 2018	US$ 399	ebay.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.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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-8 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 20 percent) than the ZV-1F, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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 Pentax WG-8 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Sony ZV-1F an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the ZV-1F is 314 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 2.7. The sensor in the WG-8 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the ZV-1F offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Pentax WG-8 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 20 MP of the Sony ZV-1F. 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 1.18μm versus 2.41μm for the ZV-1F). However, it should be noted that the WG-8 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 7 months) than the ZV-1F, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the WG-8 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Pentax WG-8 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony ZV-1F are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the WG-8 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the ZV-1F 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.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		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	3888	4K/30p	20.9	12.8	1626	54
2.		Sony ZV-1F	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.3	12.8	904	67
3.		Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.8	817	48
4.		Nikon W300	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	20.5	12.0	938	50
5.		Panasonic TS7	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1028	51
6.		Pentax WG-1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.9	12.8	1626	54
7.		Ricoh WG-6	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.7	12.2	1104	52
8.		Sony HX80	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	20.4	11.8	822	48
9.		Sony HX90V	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	738	47
10.		Sony HX95	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1057	51
11.		Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1058	51
12.		Sony RX100 II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.5	12.4	483	67
13.		Sony RX100 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.4	12.3	495	67
14.		Sony RX100 IV	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.8	12.6	591	70
15.		Sony RX100 V	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.8	12.4	586	70
16.		Sony WX800	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.2	1070	51
17.		Sony ZV-1 II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.3	12.9	965	67
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. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The WG-8 and the ZV-1F are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Pentax WG-8 and Sony ZV-1F along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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.		Pentax WG-8	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
2.		Sony ZV-1F	none	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	Y	1/2000s	16.0/s	n	n
3.		Canon SX720	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
4.		Nikon W300	none	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
5.		Panasonic TS7	1170	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/1300s	10.0/s	Y	Y
6.		Pentax WG-1000	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	8.0/s	Y	n
7.		Ricoh WG-6	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	1.0/s	Y	n
8.		Sony HX80	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
9.		Sony HX90V	638	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
10.		Sony HX95	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Sony HX99	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Sony RX100 II	optional	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Sony RX100 III	1440	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Sony RX100 IV	2359	n	3.0 / 1228	tilting	n	1/2000s	16.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Sony RX100 V	2359	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	24.0/s	Y	Y
16.		Sony WX800	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Sony ZV-1 II	none	n	3.0 / 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 ZV-1F 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 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 and the Sony ZV-1F both have 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 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the ZV-1F comes with a built-in prime. The WG-8 has a 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 optic and the ZV-1F offers a 20mm f/2.0 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Sony provides a wider angle of view at the short end than the Pentax, but less tele-photo reach at the long end. The ZV-1F offers the faster maximum aperture.

The WG-8 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the ZV-1F uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The ZV-1F supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the WG-8 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD 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 Pentax WG-8 and Sony ZV-1F 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.		Pentax WG-8	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	3.0	-	-	-
2.		Sony ZV-1F	-	stereo / mono	Y	-	-	3.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon SX720	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Nikon W300	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Panasonic TS7	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Pentax WG-1000	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Ricoh WG-6	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	3.0	-	-	-
8.		Sony HX80	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Sony HX90V	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Sony HX95	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
11.		Sony HX99	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
12.		Sony RX100 II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Sony RX100 III	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Sony RX100 IV	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Sony RX100 V	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony WX800	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony ZV-1 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y

It is notable that the ZV-1F 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 ZV-1F are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Pentax and Sony. 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.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Pentax WG-8 and the Sony ZV-1F? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Pentax WG-8:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 922k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• 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 into a lower priced segment (20 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 7 months after the ZV-1F).

Arguments in favor of the Sony ZV-1F:

• 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.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• 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 burst: Shoots at higher frequency (16 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.0 vs f/3.5).
• Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
• More compact: Is smaller (106x60mm vs 118x66mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• 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.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in October 2022).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the ZV-1F is the clear winner of the contest (18 : 8 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. 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 Pentax WG-8 and the Sony ZV-1F place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the WG-8 or the ZV-1F. 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 adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		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 ZV-1F	..	..	4/5	78/100	..	4/5	Oct 2022	US$ 499	amazon.com
3.		Canon SX720	..	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	US$ 379	ebay.com
4.		Nikon W300	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	US$ 389	ebay.com
5.		Panasonic TS7	..	+	..	..	..	3.5/5	May 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
6.		Pentax WG-1000	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2024	US$ 229	amazon.com
7.		Ricoh WG-6	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2019	US$ 399	amazon.com
8.		Sony HX80	..	..	..	..	..	..	Mar 2016	US$ 349	ebay.com
9.		Sony HX90V	4/5	+ +	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
10.		Sony HX95	..	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2018	US$ 429	ebay.com
11.		Sony HX99	..	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
12.		Sony RX100 II	5/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2013	US$ 749	ebay.com
13.		Sony RX100 III	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	May 2014	US$ 799	ebay.com
14.		Sony RX100 IV	4.5/5	+ +	..	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	US$ 999	ebay.com
15.		Sony RX100 V	4.5/5	+ +	..	83/100	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	US$ 999	ebay.com
16.		Sony WX800	..	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	US$ 399	ebay.com
17.		Sony ZV-1 II	4.5/5	..	3.5/5	83/100	3.5/5	4.5/5	May 2023	US$ 899	amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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