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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax WG-3 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the WG-3 GPS (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was brought out 4 years before the WG-3 GPS and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-3 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FZ40 grades vs the WG-3 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 FZ40 WG-3 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Panasonic FZ40

 WG-3 GPS FZ40 
LaunchedJuly 2013July 2010More recent by 36 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 FZ40 WG-3 GPS 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ40 has got outside measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 GPS has measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the FZ40 and the WG-3 GPS.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FZ40 and WG-3 GPS is 68 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and WG-3 GPS.

As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-3 GPS to show more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older FZ40 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
41
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography information
Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography information
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (494 grams)
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than others (238g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography info
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
54
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (494 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery (240 shots)
heavier than others (238 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
54
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
23
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition (494g)
34
really wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing mic port
heavier than others (238 grams)
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax WG-3 GPS
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2010-07-21 2013-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
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 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
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 (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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
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 lbs) 238 grams (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 240 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $420 $350