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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
83
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic GX85
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 122 x 71 x 44mm
  • Revealed April 2016
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II
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
  • Revealed February 2012
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax WG-2, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GX85 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is very well matched but the GX85 (Four Thirds) and WG-2 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The GX85 was brought out 4 years after the WG-2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX85 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the GX85 grades against the WG-2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX85 over the Pentax WG-2

 GX85 WG-2 
RevealedApril 2016February 2012Newer by 51 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic GX85

 WG-2 GX85 

Common features in the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax WG-2

 GX85 WG-2 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GX85 offers outer dimensions of 122mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax WG-2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the GX85 and the WG-2.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX85 and WG-2 is 83 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GX85 and WG-2.

As you can see, the two cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The GX85 provides the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler. The fresher GX85 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography details
72
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
40
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
has face detection focusing
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Street photography info
Pentax WG-2 Street photography info
83
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography highlights
62
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
not so great battery (290 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
38
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX85 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Travel photography camera
68
includes touch to focus
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
70
environment proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX85 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Landscape photography camera
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (290 shots)
47
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
MP count good (16MP)
environment proofing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging factors
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX85 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Pentax Optio WG-2
Also called Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II -
Class Advanced Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2016-04-05 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 dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4592 x 3448 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 49 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
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,764 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 200) 5.40 m
Flash modes 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 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)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lb) 192 gr (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 71 x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 662 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $800 $350