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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GX7
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released February 2012
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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic GX8 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the GX8 (20MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) and the GX8 (Four Thirds) and WG-2 GPS (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

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The GX8 was launched 3 years later than the WG-2 GPS and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GX8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-2 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the GX8 matches up against the WG-2 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 GX8 WG-2 GPS 
ReleasedJuly 2015February 2012Fresher by 42 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Panasonic GX8

 WG-2 GPS GX8 

Common features in the Panasonic GX8 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 GX8 WG-2 GPS 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GX8 enjoys exterior measurements of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") along with a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 GPS has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GX8 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the GX8 compared to the WG-2 GPS.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the GX8 and WG-2 GPS is 74 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GX8 and WG-2 GPS.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GX8 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic GX8 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The newer GX8 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography details
75
focusing manually
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
40
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography highlights
80
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features focus by touch
weather proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GX8
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
68
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
low battery power (330 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
38
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Travel photography info
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography info
73
weather proofing
features focus by touch
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery power (330 shots)
70
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography info
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
low battery power (330 shots)
47
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proof
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging features
81
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic jack
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
offers face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone port
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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX8 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Class Advanced Mirrorless Waterproof
Launched 2015-07-16 2012-02-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 487 grams (1.07 lbs) 198 grams (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 75 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 806 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $898 $300