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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic G2
  • Renewed by Panasonic G5
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
  • Announced February 2012
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is very similar but the G3 (Four Thirds) and WG-2 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The G3 was announced 7 months earlier than the WG-2 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the G3 grades against the WG-2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax WG-2

 G3 WG-2 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic G3

 WG-2 G3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012July 2011More modern by 7 months

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax WG-2

 G3 WG-2 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic G3 features physical dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the G3 compared to the WG-2.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G3 and WG-2 is 83 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The image here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the G3 and WG-2.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The G3 offers the larger sensor which should make achieving bokeh easier. The more aged G3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G3
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2
70
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 Street photography information
Pentax WG-2 Street photography information
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography factors
46
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (270 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 Travel photography details
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography details
70
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (270 CIPA)
70
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography information
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (270 shots)
no Timelapse mode
47
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging factors
70
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone support
30
fairly wide (28mm)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax Optio WG-2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2011-07-11 2012-02-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 336 grams (0.74 pounds) 192 grams (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 667 not tested
Other
Battery life 270 shots 260 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $350