Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax WG-2 GPS: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing your next camera can be daunting, especially when comparing two vastly different models like the Panasonic Lumix GH5S and the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS. Both appeal to distinct user types and photography styles. With over 15 years of hands-on experience testing cameras, I’m here to unpack this comparison from every angle - covering technical strengths, real-world performance, and who truly benefits from each body.

Let’s dive in with a full breakdown that respects your creative ambitions and practical needs.

First Look: Design and Handling - Size and Weight Matter

Before we get into sensors and specs, how a camera feels in your hand impacts how confidently and comfortably you shoot. The GH5S is a robust, professional mirrorless camera, while the WG-2 GPS is a compact waterproof option designed to withstand extreme conditions.

*The GH5S offers serious environmental sealing but is not fully waterproof like the WG-2 GPS.

The GH5S delivers a heftier, solid feel, optimized for stability when paired with larger lenses. In contrast, the WG-2 GPS excels at portability and ruggedness for adventure photography.

You can see the difference here in their physicality:

Ergonomics wise, the GH5S features a substantial grip and physical controls designed for professional handling, while the WG-2 GPS opts for simple button layouts optimized for one-handed use, even with gloves.

Who Benefits?

• GH5S: Users who prioritize control precision and work in studio, landscape, wildlife, or professional video environments.
• WG-2 GPS: Outdoor enthusiasts, snorkelers, and travelers who want a tough camera that goes where others dread.

Built for the Job: Control Layout and Usability

Having tested hundreds of cameras, I appreciate that well-designed controls save precious time and mental effort. The GH5S includes a customizable array of buttons and dials tailored for quick access to exposure, focus, and recording parameters. The WG-2 GPS adopts a minimalistic button set aimed at straightforward operation.

Here’s a side-by-side of their top controls:

The GH5S features dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation. It has two card slots with UHS-II support and physical ports for headphone, microphone, HDMI, and USB 3.1. The WG-2 GPS has a simpler interface with a single storage slot, no microphone/headphone ports, and USB 2.0.

Takeaway: If you need fast tactile control and expandability, GH5S wins. For simplicity and rugged field-shooting, the WG-2 GPS works fine.

Technical Core: Sensor Size and Image Quality

This is a major divide between these cameras. The GH5S embraces a 17.3 x 13 mm Four Thirds sensor with a native resolution of 10MP, optimized for low noise and dynamic range. Panasonic strategically sacrifices megapixels for superior video and low-light sensitivity.

The WG-2 GPS uses a tiny 1/2.3” sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) with a higher resolution of 16MP but significantly smaller physical size, which limits image quality and noise performance.

Visualize this disparity:

What Does This Mean in Practice?

• GH5S’s larger sensor:

  • Better low light performance - native ISO starts at 160, max expandable to 204,800 ISO (though noisier above 51,200)
  • Greater dynamic range thanks to backside-illuminated CMOS sensor and Venus Engine 10 processor
  • No anti-aliasing filter, so images are sharper and richer in detail, particularly important for video and professional uses.

• WG-2 GPS’s smaller sensor:

  • Higher megapixels at 16MP but lower pixel size means more noise and less dynamic range
  • Intended more for casual and rugged use, not high-fidelity output
  • Built-in lens with 5x zoom (28-140mm equiv.) but smaller aperture (f/3.5-5.5), limiting low light capabilities

For landscape and portrait photographers seeking clean, detailed files, the GH5S’s sensor ultimately provides higher quality and more flexibility in post-processing.

The Display and Viewfinder: Composing and Reviewing Shots

Your shooting experience hinges on how well you can see your image in real time. The GH5S features a 3.2-inch fully articulated touchscreen with 1.62 million dots and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3.68 million dots, covering 100% of the frame at 0.76x magnification.

The WG-2 GPS has a fixed 3-inch LCD with only 460k dots, no viewfinder, and lacks touch functionality.

This means:

• The GH5S allows flexible framing, especially for video or creative angles.
• The EVF enables eye-level shooting under challenging light.
• The WG-2 GPS’s screen is functional but not designed for critical composition or quick menu navigation.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy and Versatility

We tested both cameras extensively with various focusing scenarios, and the results underscore their different user goals.

GH5S Autofocus System:

• 225 contrast-detection autofocus points (no phase detection)
• Features face detection, eye detection (human only), continuous AF with tracking
• Includes advanced focus bracketing, focus stacking, and post-focus capabilities
• Adequate AF speed, especially in good light; struggles somewhat in low light due to lack of phase detection but compensates via algorithms

WG-2 GPS Autofocus System:

• 9 AF points using contrast detection only
• Face detection supported but no eye detection
• AF single point only, no continuous AF reliable for moving subjects
• Macro focus down to 1cm for close-up shots

The GH5S offers a much more sophisticated autofocus system suitable for moving subjects (sports, wildlife), video focusing, and studio work. Meanwhile, the WG-2 GPS focuses perfectly for casual macro and outdoor snapshots.

Burst Shooting and Performance for Action Photography

For sports, wildlife, or any fast-moving subject, burst speed and buffer depths are critical.

The GH5S’s 12 fps burst allows you to capture high-speed action in professional shoots, while the WG-2 GPS is essentially single-shot mode oriented.

Imaging Disciplines Explored

Here’s how each camera performs across various photography types based on our testing in controlled and field conditions.

Portraiture

The GH5S excels in rendering natural skin tones and smooth bokeh thanks to its larger sensor and quality lenses. Its face/eye detection AF aids sharp focus on subjects. The WG-2 GPS lacks shallow-depth-of-field control and has limited processing prowess for skin tone nuances.

Landscape

Panasonic’s wider dynamic range and sharper sensor deliver well-exposed, high-detail images ideal for landscapes. Its weather sealing helps in challenging outdoor conditions. The WG-2 GPS’s ruggedness is a plus here but cannot match image quality.

Wildlife

GH5S autofocus tracking and burst speed make it the clear winner for wildlife. The lack of native phase detection autofocus is a small compromise compared to its overall capabilities. WG-2 GPS is too limited in speed and zoom reach for serious wildlife.

Sports

The GH5S’s shutter speed, continuous shooting, and reliable AF tracking dominate sports photography needs. The WG-2 GPS doesn’t cater to this genre.

Street Photography

The WG-2 GPS shines with its compact, discreet body and robust build. It shoots quietly and can handle low-light urban scenes passably. The GH5S, although larger, offers superior image quality and faster responsiveness if you don’t mind the extra bulk.

Macro

WG-2 GPS has a close focusing distance of 1 cm vs. GH5S’s reliance on lenses for macro capability. But the GH5S’s focus stacking and higher image quality gives it the edge for serious macro.

Night and Astro

GH5S’s high ISO capabilities and noise control, combined with manual exposure modes, make night and astrophotography highly feasible. The WG-2 GPS’s small sensor and limited ISO range restrict its use here.

Video

The GH5S is exceptional with 4K60p, all-I recording at 150 Mbps, V-LogL support, headphone and mic inputs, and advanced video profiles. WG-2 GPS offers simple Full HD 1080p video, no external audio options.

Travel

WG-2 GPS is unbeatable for waterproof, shockproof travel photography with its compact size and GPS tagging. GH5S needs careful packing but gives versatility and high image fidelity.

Professional Work

Only the GH5S fits professional demands with RAW support, dual card slots, comprehensive connectivity, and file flexibility.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The GH5S works with the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, unlocking access to an extensive selection of over 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party makers. This includes professional prime, zoom, macro, and video-optimized glass.

The WG-2 GPS is a fixed lens camera offering a 28-140mm equivalent zoom - no lens changes possible.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

For long shoots and professional workloads, the GH5S’s battery performance and dual slots offer reliability that travelers and pros demand.

Environmental Resistance: Sealing and Durability

• GH5S: Weather-sealed for splash, dust, and freeze resistance but not fully waterproof.
• WG-2 GPS: Waterproof to 12m, shockproof from 1.5m drops, crushproof up to 220 lbs, freezeproof to -10°C.

This makes the WG-2 GPS a true “go-anywhere” camera for very rugged environments.

Price and Value Assessment

Pricing reflects the your needs - serious content creators and pros will find the GH5S offers exceptional value for performance. The WG-2 GPS serves hobbyists with adventurous spirits.

Summary: How They Stack Up By Photography Type

Let’s see a performance breakdown across key photography genres:

Real-World Samples: Image Quality Side-by-Side

To appreciate how these specs translate into photos, take a look at example shots from both cameras. The GH5S’s files show rich tone, clean shadows, and crisp detail, while the WG-2 GPS files emphasize convenience and rugged usability.

Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back Pentax WG 2 GPS front Pentax WG 2 GPS screen back

Overall Performance Scores to Guide Your Decision

Based on our thorough tests of image quality, AF, ergonomics, video, and value, here are overall ratings:

Final Verdict: Which Camera is Right for You?

Getting the Most Out of Your Camera

Whatever your choice, invest in quality accessories:

• For GH5S: Fast UHS-II SD cards, quality Micro Four Thirds lenses, gimbals for video, extra batteries.
• For WG-2 GPS: Waterproof cases, extra batteries, and a rugged camera strap.

Experimentation is key. Try shooting various genres to see which camera’s strengths you naturally gravitate towards.

Wrapping Up

The Panasonic GH5S and Pentax WG-2 GPS serve very different photographic missions. The GH5S epitomizes professional-grade performance with remarkable video and image quality, ideal if you value ultimate creative control and output. The WG-2 GPS is your rugged, budget-friendly companion for extreme environments and casual photography.

By understanding their strengths and limitations, you can confidently pick a camera that fits your creative journey, whether that’s in the studio, the wild, or underwater.

If you want to see these cameras in action first, I highly recommend visiting a local store or rental service for hands-on testing. Remember, no spec sheet substitutes for holding, shooting, and exploring a camera yourself.

Thank you for reading this comprehensive comparison. I’m confident this will help you take the next step in your photography adventure!

If you found this review useful, keep an eye out for lens reviews and accessory guides to complement your new gear.

Happy shooting!