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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Older Model is Panasonic G3
  • Successor is Panasonic G6
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Introduced August 2011
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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic G5 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the G5 (16MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is fairly well matched but the G5 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The G5 was released 12 months after the WG-1 GPS so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the G5 grades against the WG-1 GPS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 G5 WG-1 GPS 
IntroducedJuly 2012August 2011Newer by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Panasonic G5

 WG-1 GPS G5 

Common features in the Panasonic G5 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 G5 WG-1 GPS 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G5 features exterior dimensions of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") along with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 GPS has dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic G5 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the G5 versus the WG-1 GPS.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the G5 and WG-1 GPS is 74 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the G5 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The G5 because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic G5 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent G5 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
35
you can focus manually
decent MP (14MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G5 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography highlights
66
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has touch to focus
no image stabilization
more heavy than average (396g)
54
environment sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G5
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
51
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography highlights
66
has touch to focus
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (396 grams)
71
environment sealing
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G5
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
42
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
decent MP (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G5 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging features
62
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than average (396 grams)
25
really wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G5 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2012-07-17 2011-08-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle 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
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 396 grams (0.87 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 61 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 618 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $699 $350