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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(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
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched August 2011
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was launched 13 months before the WG-1 GPS which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the FZ40 matches up versus the WG-1 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 FZ40 WG-1 GPS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Panasonic FZ40

 WG-1 GPS FZ40 
LaunchedAugust 2011July 2010More modern by 13 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 FZ40 WG-1 GPS 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 has got outside dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 GPS has dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the FZ40 and the WG-1 GPS.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FZ40 and WG-1 GPS is 68 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes only by going through technical specs. The image underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ40 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of photographs though you would want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged FZ40 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography features
46
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
35
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography features
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (494g)
54
environment sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography highlights
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
37
good MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography details
54
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (494g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
environment sealing
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
51
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good MP (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging factors
23
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
25
fairly wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2010-07-21 2011-08-16
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 grams (1.09 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" 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 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $420 $350