Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax WG-1000
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the Pentax WG-1000 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2020 and June 2024. The E-M1 III is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the WG-1000 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (E-M1 III) and a 1/2.3-inch (WG-1000) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 20.2 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.

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III 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
The physical size and weight of the Olympus E-M1 III and the Pentax WG-1000 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear 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 considerably smaller (34 percent) than the Olympus E-M1 III. 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-1000 is water-proof up to 15m 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-1000 has a lens built in, whereas the E-M1 III 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 E-M1 III and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.
The power pack in the E-M1 III can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along 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.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-M1 III | 134 mm | 91 mm | 69 mm | 580 g | 420 | Y | Feb 2020 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Pentax WG-1000 | 116 mm | 69 mm | 51 mm | 220 g | 300 | Y | Jun 2024 | US$ 229 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP130 | 110 mm | 71 mm | 28 mm | 207 g | 240 | Y | Jan 2018 | US$ 229 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Nikon W300 | 112 mm | 66 mm | 29 mm | 231 g | 280 | Y | May 2017 | US$ 389 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus E-M1 II | 134 mm | 91 mm | 67 mm | 574 g | 440 | Y | Sep 2016 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus E-M1X | 144 mm | 147 mm | 75 mm | 997 g | 870 | Y | Jan 2019 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus E-M5 III | 125 mm | 85 mm | 50 mm | 414 g | 310 | Y | Oct 2019 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | OM System OM-1 | 135 mm | 92 mm | 73 mm | 599 g | 520 | Y | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | OM System OM-3 | 139 mm | 89 mm | 46 mm | 496 g | 590 | Y | Feb 2025 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
| 10. | Panasonic G9 | 137 mm | 97 mm | 92 mm | 658 g | 400 | Y | Nov 2017 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Panasonic G97 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 77 mm | 536 g | 290 | Y | Apr 2019 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Panasonic G95 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 77 mm | 536 g | 290 | Y | Apr 2019 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic GH5 | 139 mm | 98 mm | 87 mm | 725 g | 410 | Y | Jan 2017 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Panasonic GH5 II | 139 mm | 98 mm | 87 mm | 727 g | 400 | Y | May 2021 | US$ 1 699 | amazon.com | |
| 15. | Pentax WG-8 | 118 mm | 66 mm | 33 mm | 242 g | 340 | Y | Jun 2024 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Pentax WG-90 | 123 mm | 62 mm | 30 mm | 194 g | 300 | Y | Nov 2023 | US$ 279 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Ricoh WG-60 | 123 mm | 62 mm | 30 mm | 193 g | 300 | Y | Oct 2018 | US$ 279 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 lower price than the E-M1 III, despite having a lens built in. 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.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-M1 III features a Four Thirds sensor and the Pentax WG-1000 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the WG-1000 is 88 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 5.6. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

With 20.2MP, the E-M1 III offers a higher resolution than the WG-1000 (15.9MP), but the E-M1 III nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 1.33μm for the WG-1000) due to its larger sensor. However, the WG-1000 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 3 months) than the E-M1 III, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. 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 Olympus E-M1 III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the E-M1 III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax WG-1000 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.
The E-M1 III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
Unlike the WG-1000, the E-M1 III has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 64-25600. 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.

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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-M1 III | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.3 | 13.1 | 1356 | 76 | |
| 2. | Pentax WG-1000 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 20.9 | 12.8 | 1626 | 54 | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP130 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1000 | 51 | |
| 4. | Nikon W300 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 4K/30p | 20.5 | 12.0 | 938 | 50 | |
| 5. | Olympus E-M1 II | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.7 | 12.8 | 1312 | 80 | |
| 6. | Olympus E-M1X | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.2 | 13.0 | 1254 | 75 | |
| 7. | Olympus E-M5 III | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.3 | 13.1 | 1324 | 76 | |
| 8. | OM System OM-1 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.4 | 13.4 | 1553 | 77 | |
| 9. | OM System OM-3 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.4 | 13.7 | 1852 | 78 | |
| 10. | Panasonic G9 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.1 | 12.8 | 1138 | 74 | |
| 11. | Panasonic G97 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.2 | 13.0 | 1273 | 75 | |
| 12. | Panasonic G95 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 23.2 | 13.0 | 1273 | 75 | |
| 13. | Panasonic GH5 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.9 | 13.0 | 807 | 77 | |
| 14. | Panasonic GH5 II | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.7 | 13.1 | 1136 | 79 | |
| 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 are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the E-M1 III provides a higher video resolution than the WG-1000. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the E-M1 III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the WG-1000 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Olympus E-M1 III, the Pentax WG-1000, and comparable cameras.

| 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. | Olympus E-M1 III | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 18.0/s | n | Y | |
| 2. | Pentax WG-1000 | none | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 8.0/s | Y | n | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP130 | none | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 4. | Nikon W300 | none | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 5. | Olympus E-M1 II | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 18.0/s | n | Y | |
| 6. | Olympus E-M1X | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 18.0/s | n | Y | |
| 7. | Olympus E-M5 III | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 8. | OM System OM-1 | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 1640 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 9. | OM System OM-3 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1640 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | n | Y | |
| 10. | Panasonic G9 | 3680 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | Y | |
| 11. | Panasonic G97 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 9.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 12. | Panasonic G95 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1240 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 9.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 13. | Panasonic GH5 | 3680 | n | 3.2 / 1620 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
| 14. | Panasonic GH5 II | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | 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. | |||||||||||
One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The E-M1 III has a touchscreen, while the WG-1000 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.
The E-M1 III has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the WG-1000 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, the E-M1 III is one of those camera that have an additional 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 Olympus E-M1 III 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.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the E-M1 III and the WG-1000 write their files to SDXC cards. The E-M1 III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the WG-1000 only has one slot. The E-M1 III supports UHS-II cards on its first slot and UHS-I on its second one, while the WG-1000 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 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and Pentax WG-1000 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-M1 III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 2. | Pentax WG-1000 | - | mono / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP130 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 4. | Nikon W300 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 5. | Olympus E-M1 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 6. | Olympus E-M1X | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 7. | Olympus E-M5 III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 8. | OM System OM-1 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 9. | OM System OM-3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 10. | Panasonic G9 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 11. | Panasonic G97 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 12. | Panasonic G95 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 13. | Panasonic GH5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 14. | Panasonic GH5 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | 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 E-M1 III 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.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Olympus E-M1 III (unlike the WG-1000) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
The WG-1000 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Pentax. In contrast, the E-M1 III has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the E-M1 III was succeeded by the OM System OM-1. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Olympus and Pentax websites.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Olympus E-M1 III and the Pentax WG-1000? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.2 vs 15.9MP) with a 13% higher linear resolution.
- High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
- 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 definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
- 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.
- 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 (1037k vs 230k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
- 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 1/2000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (18 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (420 versus 300) on a single battery charge.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- 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.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
- 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.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- 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 and UHS-I) SDXC cards.
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2020).

Arguments in favor of the Pentax WG-1000:
- Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the E-M1 III necessitates an extra lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (116x69mm vs 134x91mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the E-M1 III).
- Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 15m).
- Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
- More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
- More modern: Reflects 4 years and 3 months of technical progress since the E-M1 III launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-M1 III is the clear winner of the match-up (32 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding 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 Olympus E-M1 III and the Pentax WG-1000 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the E-M1 III or the WG-1000. 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 why hands-on reviews by experts are important. 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.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Olympus E-M1 III | 5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2020 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Pentax WG-1000 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2024 | US$ 229 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP130 | .. | o | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2018 | US$ 229 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Nikon W300 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | May 2017 | US$ 389 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus E-M1 II | 5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus E-M1X | 4.5/5 | o | 5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | .. | Jan 2019 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus E-M5 III | 5/5 | + | 5/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2019 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | OM System OM-1 | 5/5 | .. | .. | 87/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | OM System OM-3 | .. | .. | .. | 86/100 | .. | .. | Feb 2025 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
| 10. | Panasonic G9 | .. | + + | 5/5 | 85/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Nov 2017 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Panasonic G97 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Apr 2019 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Panasonic G95 | 4.5/5 | + | 4.5/5 | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2019 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic GH5 | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2017 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Panasonic GH5 II | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | May 2021 | US$ 1 699 | amazon.com | |
| 15. | Pentax WG-8 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2024 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Pentax WG-90 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Nov 2023 | US$ 279 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Ricoh WG-60 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Oct 2018 | US$ 279 | ebay.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, 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 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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- Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-M1 III
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- Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A7S
- Panasonic S5 vs Pentax WG-1000
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- Pentax WG-1000 vs Sony ZV-E10 II
Specifications: Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax WG-1000
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 Model | Olympus E-M1 III | Pentax WG-1000 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Fixed lens compact camera |
| Camera Lens | Micro Four Thirds lenses | 27-108mm f/3.0-6.6 |
| Launch Date | February 2020 | June 2024 |
| Launch Price | USD 1,799 | USD 229 |
| Sensor Specs | Olympus E-M1 III | Pentax WG-1000 |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | Four Thirds Sensor | 1/2.3" Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 17.3 x 13.0 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
| Sensor Area | 224.9 mm2 | 28.0735 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 21.6 mm | 7.7 mm |
| Crop Factor | 2.0x | 5.6x |
| Sensor Resolution | 20.2 Megapixels | 15.9 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 5184 x 3888 pixels | 4608 x 3456 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 3.34 μm | 1.33 μm |
| Pixel Density | 8.96 MP/cm2 | 56.73 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
| Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | 1080/30p Video |
| ISO Setting | 200 - 25,600 ISO | 100 - 3,200 ISO |
| ISO Boost | 64 - 25,600 ISO | no Enhancement |
| Screen Specs | Olympus E-M1 III | Pentax WG-1000 |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | no viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.74x | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2360k dots | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 2.7inch |
| LCD Resolution | 1037k dots | 230k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | Fixed screen |
| Touch Input | Touchscreen | no Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Olympus E-M1 III | Pentax WG-1000 |
| Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | Contrast-detect AF |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | no Peaking Feature |
| Continuous Shooting | 18 shutter flaps/s | 8 shutter flaps/s |
| Electronic Shutter | up to 1/32000s | no E-Shutter |
| Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | no Intervalometer |
| Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | no handshake reduction |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Single card slot |
| UHS card support | Single UHS-II | no |
| Connectivity Specs | Olympus E-M1 III | Pentax WG-1000 |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | no Hotshoe |
| Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | no PC Sync |
| USB Connector | USB 3.1 | USB 2.0 |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | no HDMI |
| Microphone Port | External MIC port | no MIC socket |
| Headphone Socket | Headphone port | no Headphone port |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | no Wifi |
| Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | no Bluetooth |
| Body Specs | Olympus E-M1 III | Pentax WG-1000 |
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Waterproof body (15m) |
| Battery Type | Olympus BLH-1 | Pentax D-LI96 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 420 shots per charge | 300 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | USB charging | no USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
134 x 91 x 69 mm (5.3 x 3.6 x 2.7 in) |
116 x 69 x 51 mm (4.6 x 2.7 x 2.0 in) |
| Camera Weight | 580 g (20.5 oz) | 220 g (7.8 oz) |

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amazon.com
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