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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Replacement is Panasonic GX7
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
  • Introduced February 2012
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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic GX1 and Pentax WG-2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GX1 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly similar but the GX1 (Four Thirds) and WG-2 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The GX1 was announced about the same time to the WG-2 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the GX1 grades vs the WG-2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Pentax WG-2

 GX1 WG-2 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic GX1

 WG-2 GX1 

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Pentax WG-2

 GX1 WG-2 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2012Similar age
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic GX1 has outside dimensions of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GX1 and Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the GX1 and the WG-2.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the GX1 and WG-2 is 87 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over technical specs. The pic below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GX1 and WG-2.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer the same exact resolution but not the same sensor dimensions. The GX1 offers the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field easier.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography factors
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
40
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Street photography advice
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
54
environment proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography info
47
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX1
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
65
has focus by touch
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery (300 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
70
environment proofing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography information
62
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery (300 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
47
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
32
has touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic socket
30
rather wide (28mm)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Launched 2012-02-14 2012-02-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3448 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 318 grams (0.70 lbs) 192 grams (0.42 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 703 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 260 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $228 $350