Clicky

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched February 2012
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax WG-2, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and WG-2 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The FS15 was introduced 4 years prior to the WG-2 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the FS15 grades vs the WG-2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Pentax WG-2

 FS15 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic FS15

 WG-2 FS15 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2009Fresher by 37 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax WG-2

 FS15 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 provides outer measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax WG-2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FS15 and the WG-2.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and WG-2 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FS15 and WG-2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-2 to resolve extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The older FS15 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography features
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
40
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Street photography factors
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography information
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
38
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
70
environment sealing
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS15
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone support
30
pretty wide (28mm)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic jack
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Pentax Optio WG-2
Class Ultracompact Waterproof
Released 2009-01-16 2012-02-07
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136g (0.30 lb) 192g (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $180 $350