Clicky

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LZ30
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released August 2011
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and WG-1 GPS (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The LZ40 was launched 2 years after the WG-1 GPS which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the LZ40 scores versus the WG-1 GPS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 LZ40 WG-1 GPS 
ReleasedJanuary 2014August 2011Newer by 30 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Panasonic LZ40

 WG-1 GPS LZ40 
Manually focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 LZ40 WG-1 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LZ40 features outer measurements of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") and a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 GPS has dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the LZ40 against the WG-1 GPS.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the LZ40 and WG-1 GPS is 67 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading specs. The picture below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the LZ40 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic LZ40 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher LZ40 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography info
40
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography factors
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others in class (524 grams)
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LZ40
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
47
great zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography highlights
55
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
really wide (22mm)
very long zoom (924mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (524 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
71
environment sealing
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
44
really wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
42
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
resolution is good (14MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Vlogging information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging information
27
really wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
comes with mic support
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than others in class (524 grams)
25
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2014-01-06 2011-08-16
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 20 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-924mm (42.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.80 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 524 grams (1.16 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 320 pictures 260 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $219 $350