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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced November 2008
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LX5
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
  • Launched February 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and WG-2 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The LX3 was announced 4 years prior to the WG-2 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the LX3 grades versus the WG-2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Pentax WG-2

 LX3 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic LX3

 WG-2 LX3 
LaunchedFebruary 2012November 2008More modern by 39 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Pentax WG-2

 LX3 WG-2 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX3 features external dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the LX3 vs the WG-2.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and WG-2 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The image underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and WG-2.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The LX3 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Pentax WG-2 will resolve greater detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged LX3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography features
40
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
40
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LX3
Street photography with Pentax WG-2
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
heavier than average (265g)
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LX3
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
has no phase detect autofocus
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Travel photography camera
60
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than average (265 grams)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Landscape photography camera
52
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
47
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging details
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging details
30
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than average (265g)
30
quite wide (28mm)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic socket
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Panasonic LX3 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2008-11-04 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 192g (0.42 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 94 not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $449 $350