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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF3
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax WG-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GF2 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty similar but the GF2 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GF2 was brought out very close to the WG-1 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the GF2 scores against the WG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Pentax WG-1

 GF2 WG-1 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic GF2

 WG-1 GF2 

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax WG-1

 GF2 WG-1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011February 2011Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF2 has got physical measurements of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax WG-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the GF2 against the WG-1.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF2 and WG-1 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GF2 and WG-1.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GF2 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Pentax WG-1 will deliver greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Street photography factors
65
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
54
environment proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Sports photography information
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography information
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (300 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography features
52
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
71
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography features
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (300 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
42
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging highlights
32
built-in touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone socket
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Launched 2011-02-24 2011-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 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 AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310 gr (0.68 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 506 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 260 photos
Form of battery 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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $330 $350