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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • New Model is Panasonic LZ40
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
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The LZ30 was manufactured 12 months after the WG-2 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the LZ30 matches up vs the WG-2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax WG-2

 LZ30 WG-2 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2012More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic LZ30

 WG-2 LZ30 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax WG-2

 LZ30 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LZ30 features physical dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the LZ30 against the WG-2.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the LZ30 and WG-2 is 66 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The image below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ30 and WG-2.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of images however you have to take the production date of the products into consideration. The more modern LZ30 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ30
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2
32
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Street photography information
Pentax WG-2 Street photography information
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (552g)
54
weather proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography factors
47
long zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery pack (380 per charge)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
38
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Travel photography camera
56
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (875mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (552g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
weather proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography highlights
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
47
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
good MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LZ30
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2
22
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (552 grams)
30
quite wide (28mm)
supports face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax Optio WG-2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2013-01-07 2012-02-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-875mm (35.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.40 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 Motion JPEG 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 552 gr (1.22 lbs) 192 gr (0.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 260 pictures
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $230 $350