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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
91
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Introduced September 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GM1
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
  • Introduced February 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty close but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GM5 was revealed 3 years later than the WG-1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the GM5 scores against the WG-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax WG-1

 GM5 WG-1 
IntroducedSeptember 2014February 2011Fresher by 44 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic GM5

 WG-1 GM5 

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax WG-1

 GM5 WG-1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM5 provides physical dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the GM5 against the WG-1.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GM5 and WG-1 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The photograph here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM5 and WG-1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GM5 using its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic GM5 will result in extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer GM5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography info
72
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Street photography advice
76
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
lighter than others in class (211g)
good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography info
49
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500s)
low fps (5.8 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
37
good resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GM5
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1
71
lighter than others in class (211 grams)
includes touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
71
weather sealing
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GM5
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1
69
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (220 per charge)
42
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
good resolution (14MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
35
touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (211g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic jack
25
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2014-09-15 2011-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 5.8fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 211 gr (0.47 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 721 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots 260 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLH7 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $966 $350