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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF2
  • Successor is Panasonic GF5
Pentax WG-1
(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
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax WG-1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is fairly close but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was announced 7 months later than the WG-1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the GF3 grades versus the WG-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax WG-1

 GF3 WG-1 
LaunchedAugust 2011February 2011Fresher by 7 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic GF3

 WG-1 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax WG-1

 GF3 WG-1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GF3 offers outside dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the GF3 vs the WG-1.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and WG-1 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The visual underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and WG-1.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GF3 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax WG-1 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher GF3 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography features
55
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
35
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Street photography highlights
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography factors
58
provides focus via touch
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
71
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 shots)
no Timelapse function
42
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
weather proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
32
has touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone jack
25
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2011-08-11 2011-02-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine 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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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), 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 264 grams (0.58 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 459 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 260 photographs
Style 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $360 $350