OM System OM-5 II vs Pentax WG-8

The OM System OM-5 II and the Pentax WG-8 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2025 and June 2024. The OM-5 II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the WG-8 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (OM-5 II) and a 1/2.3-inch (WG-8) sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20.2 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications

OM System OM-5 II		Pentax WG-8
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses		28-140mm f/3.5-5.5
20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor		20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600		ISO 125-6,400
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots		3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second		8 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		no shake reduction
Weathersealed body		Waterproof body (20m)
310 shots per battery charge		340 shots per battery charge
125 x 85 x 50 mm, 414 g		118 x 66 x 33 mm, 242 g

Check OM-5 II price at
amazon.com
Check WG-8 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the OM System OM-5 II and the Pentax WG-8? 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 side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the OM System OM-5 II and the Pentax WG-8. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The OM-5 II can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, beige), while the WG-8 is available in two color-versions (black, green).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax WG-8 is notably smaller (27 percent) than the OM System OM-5 II. 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 OM-5 II 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 OM-5 II and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the OM-5 II gets 310 shots out of its OM System BLS-50 battery, while the WG-8 can take 340 images on a single charge of its Ricoh DB-110 power pack. The power pack in the OM-5 II 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. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		OM System OM-5 II	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Jun 2025	US$ 1 199	amazon.com
2.		Pentax WG-8	118 mm	66 mm	33 mm	242 g	340	Y	Jun 2024	US$ 399	amazon.com
3.		Nikon W300	112 mm	66 mm	29 mm	231 g	280	Y	May 2017	US$ 389	ebay.com
4.		Olympus E-M5 III	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Oct 2019	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
5.		Olympus PEN-F	125 mm	72 mm	37 mm	427 g	330	n	Jan 2016	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
6.		OM System OM-1	135 mm	92 mm	73 mm	599 g	520	Y	Feb 2022	US$ 2 199	ebay.com
7.		OM System OM-1 II	135 mm	92 mm	73 mm	599 g	500	Y	Jan 2024	US$ 2 399	amazon.com
8.		OM System OM-3	139 mm	89 mm	46 mm	496 g	590	Y	Feb 2025	US$ 1 999	amazon.com
9.		OM System OM-5	125 mm	85 mm	50 mm	414 g	310	Y	Oct 2022	US$ 1 199	amazon.com
10.		Panasonic FT7	117 mm	76 mm	37 mm	319 g	300	Y	May 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic G90	130 mm	94 mm	77 mm	536 g	290	Y	Apr 2019	US$ 999	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic GX8	133 mm	78 mm	63 mm	487 g	330	Y	Jul 2015	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
13.		Pentax WG-1000	116 mm	69 mm	51 mm	220 g	300	Y	Jun 2024	US$ 229	amazon.com
14.		Ricoh WG-6	118 mm	66 mm	33 mm	246 g	340	Y	Feb 2019	US$ 399	amazon.com
15.		Sony A6500	120 mm	67 mm	53 mm	453 g	350	Y	Oct 2016	US$ 1 399	ebay.com
16.		Sony A6600	120 mm	67 mm	69 mm	503 g	810	Y	Aug 2019	US$ 1 399	amazon.com
17.		Sony HX99	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	US$ 449	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-8 was launched at a lower price than the OM-5 II, 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 sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the OM System OM-5 II features a Four Thirds sensor and the Pentax WG-8 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the WG-8 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.

Even though the OM-5 II has a larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 20.2 megapixels. This implies that the OM-5 II has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 1.18μm for the WG-8), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. In addition, the OM-5 II is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year) than the WG-8, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. 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 OM-5 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

Unlike the WG-8, the OM-5 II 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 OM System OM-5 II 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-8 are ISO 125 to ISO 6400 (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 table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		OM System OM-5 II	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.4	13.7	1889	78
2.		Pentax WG-8	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.9	12.8	1626	54
3.		Nikon W300	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	20.5	12.0	938	50
4.		Olympus E-M5 III	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.3	13.1	1324	76
5.		Olympus PEN-F	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	23.1	12.4	894	74
6.		OM System OM-1	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.4	13.4	1553	77
7.		OM System OM-1 II	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.4	13.6	1749	78
8.		OM System OM-3	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.4	13.7	1852	78
9.		OM System OM-5	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.4	13.4	1622	78
10.		Panasonic FT7	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1028	51
11.		Panasonic G90	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.2	13.0	1273	75
12.		Panasonic GX8	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.5	12.6	806	75
13.		Pentax WG-1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.9	12.8	1626	54
14.		Ricoh WG-6	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.7	12.2	1104	52
15.		Sony A6500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	24.5	13.7	1405	85
16.		Sony A6600	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	23.8	13.4	1497	82
17.		Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1058	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. 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. For example, the OM-5 II has an electronic viewfinder (2360k 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 OM System OM-5 II and Pentax WG-8 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.		OM System OM-5 II	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
2.		Pentax WG-8	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
3.		Nikon W300	none	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
4.		Olympus E-M5 III	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
5.		Olympus PEN-F	2360	n	3.0 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
6.		OM System OM-1	5760	n	3.0 / 1640	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
7.		OM System OM-1 II	5760	n	3.0 / 1640	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
8.		OM System OM-3	2360	n	3.0 / 1640	swivel	Y	1/8000s	6.0/s	n	Y
9.		OM System OM-5	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
10.		Panasonic FT7	1170	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/1300s	10.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Panasonic G90	2360	n	3.0 / 1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Panasonic GX8	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
13.		Pentax WG-1000	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	8.0/s	Y	n
14.		Ricoh WG-6	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	1.0/s	Y	n
15.		Sony A6500	2359	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	Y
16.		Sony A6600	2359	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
17.		Sony HX99	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
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 OM-5 II has a touchscreen, while the WG-8 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

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 OM System OM-5 II and the Pentax WG-8 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.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the OM-5 II and the WG-8 write their files to SDXC cards. The OM-5 II supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 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 OM System OM-5 II and Pentax WG-8 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.		OM System OM-5 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Pentax WG-8	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	3.0	-	-	-
3.		Nikon W300	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Olympus E-M5 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Olympus PEN-F	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		OM System OM-1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
7.		OM System OM-1 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
8.		OM System OM-3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
9.		OM System OM-5	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
10.		Panasonic FT7	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Panasonic G90	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Panasonic GX8	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Pentax WG-1000	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Ricoh WG-6	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	3.0	-	-	-
15.		Sony A6500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony A6600	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	YES	2.0	Y	Y	Y
17.		Sony HX99	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y

It is notable that the OM-5 II has a hotshoe, while the WG-8 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the OM-5 II and the WG-8 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The OM-5 II replaced the earlier OM System OM-5, 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 OM System and Pentax websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the OM System OM-5 II better than the Pentax WG-8 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the OM System OM-5 II:

• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• 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.
• 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: 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 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• 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.
• 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: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year after the WG-8).

Arguments in favor of the Pentax WG-8:

• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the OM-5 II necessitates an extra lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (118x66mm vs 125x85mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the OM-5 II).
• Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 20m).
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in June 2024).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the OM-5 II is the clear winner of the match-up (21 : 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro 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 OM System OM-5 II and the Pentax WG-8 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the OM-5 II and the WG-8 in practical situations. 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 why expert reviews are important. 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.		OM System OM-5 II	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2025	US$ 1 199	amazon.com
2.		Pentax WG-8	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2024	US$ 399	amazon.com
3.		Nikon W300	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	US$ 389	ebay.com
4.		Olympus E-M5 III	5/5	+	5/5	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2019	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
5.		Olympus PEN-F	..	..	4/5	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
6.		OM System OM-1	5/5	..	..	87/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2022	US$ 2 199	ebay.com
7.		OM System OM-1 II	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2024	US$ 2 399	amazon.com
8.		OM System OM-3	..	..	..	86/100	..	..	Feb 2025	US$ 1 999	amazon.com
9.		OM System OM-5	5/5	..	4.5/5	83/100	5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2022	US$ 1 199	amazon.com
10.		Panasonic FT7	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	May 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic G90	4.5/5	+	4.5/5	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2019	US$ 999	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic GX8	5/5	+	..	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	US$ 1 199	ebay.com
13.		Pentax WG-1000	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2024	US$ 229	amazon.com
14.		Ricoh WG-6	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2019	US$ 399	amazon.com
15.		Sony A6500	5/5	+ +	3.5/5	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	US$ 1 399	ebay.com
16.		Sony A6600	4/5	+	4/5	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2019	US$ 1 399	amazon.com
17.		Sony HX99	..	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	US$ 449	ebay.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 rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. 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
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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