Upgrade Guide

Pentax WG-8→Pentax WG-1000

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

WG-8
You own
Pentax
WG-8
£479
2022
View on GearFrame →
→
WG-1000
Upgrade to
Pentax
WG-1000
£249 (-£230)
2023
View on GearFrame →
⚖️
Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the WG-8. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the WG-1000
Unchanged or similar
Suitability by genre

Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.

Genre WG-8 WG-1000
Portrait
3.2
3.0
-0.2
Street
5.4
5.4
—
Travel
6.0
6.0
—
Wedding & Events
2.5
2.4
-0.1
Filmmaking
2.4
—
Documentary
4.5
4.1
-0.4
Landscape
4.0
3.8
-0.2
Casual
5.4
5.5
+0.1
Food
3.5
3.4
-0.1
Macro
3.0
2.9
-0.1
Architecture
3.2
3.0
-0.2
Astrophotography
2.2
2.3
+0.1
Underwater
5.8
5.3
-0.5
Fun & simple
5.2
5.8
+0.6
Full spec comparison
Spec WG-8 WG-1000
Price £479 £249
Released 2022 2023 ↑
Sensor 20MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS 16.35MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS
Resolution 20MP 16MP ↓
Video 4K 1080p/30p
Autofocus Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
Stabilisation No stabilisation No stabilisation
Burst Rate 1fps 1fps
Battery Life 340 shots (CIPA) 300 shots (CIPA) ↓
Weight 242g (with battery and card) 220g (with battery and card) ↑
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder None (screen only) None (screen only)
Screen Fixed screen, no touch Fixed screen, no touch
Mount Fixed zoom lens Fixed 4x zoom lens (27-108mm equivalent)
Memory Cards Single SD (FlashAir compatible) + 27MB internal buffer Single SD
Compare side-by-side

See WG-8 and WG-1000 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

⚖️ Compare these cameras
Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the WG-1000 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Run the upgrade checker →
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