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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2011
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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic FH8 and Pentax WG-1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH8 was revealed 12 months after the WG-1 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the FH8 grades against the WG-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Pentax WG-1

 FH8 WG-1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2011Newer by 12 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic FH8

 WG-1 FH8 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Pentax WG-1

 FH8 WG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH8 features external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH8 and Pentax WG-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the FH8 compared to the WG-1.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH8 and WG-1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by checking specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and WG-1.

To sum up, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic FH8 to give extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher FH8 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography features
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography features
Pentax WG-1 Street photography features
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (123g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH8
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count good (14MP)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others in class (123 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
71
weather sealing
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
43
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
42
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH8
Vlogging with Pentax WG-1
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than others in class (123g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2012-01-09 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123g (0.27 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $149 $350