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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly similar and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was revealed 18 months prior to the WG-2 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the FZ40 matches up versus the WG-2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax WG-2

 FZ40 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic FZ40

 WG-2 FZ40 
LaunchedFebruary 2012July 2010Fresher by 18 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WG-2

 FZ40 WG-2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ40 has got external dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and 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).

Compare the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the FZ40 versus the WG-2.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and WG-2 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The visual here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and WG-2.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Pentax WG-2 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The older FZ40 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography highlights
46
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Street photography factors
51
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (494g)
54
environment proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography factors
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
38
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography factors
54
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
environment proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography advice
51
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging highlights
23
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax Optio WG-2
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2010-07-21 2012-02-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.50 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lb) 192 gr (0.42 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $420 $350