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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic G2
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 G1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic G1 and Pentax WG-2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the G1 (12MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the G1 (Four Thirds) and WG-2 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The G1 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the WG-2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the G1 matches up against the WG-2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Pentax WG-2

 G1 WG-2 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic G1

 WG-2 G1 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2009More recent by 37 months

Common features in the Panasonic G1 and Pentax WG-2

 G1 WG-2 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G1 offers exterior dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic G1 and Pentax WG-2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the G1 and the WG-2.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G1 and WG-2 is 82 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the G1 and WG-2.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The G1 having a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax WG-2 will result in extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older G1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G1
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2
57
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
40
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
72
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
54
environment proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G1 Sports photography features
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography features
33
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography highlights
62
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
70
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography factors
57
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
environment proof
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G1 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging features
18
no video shooting
30
pretty wide (28mm)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G1 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2009-01-19 2012-02-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 5.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 360 gr (0.79 lb) 192 gr (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 53 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 463 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $0 $350